Great News! Scripps Research Institute Coming to North Palm Beach
A Recent Article From the Jupiter Courier
The president of the Palm Beach County Business Development Board said his orginazation's strategy is to go after more research institutions now that Scripps Research Institute has agreed to open a major biotechnology hub in North Palm Beach County.
"I think it should be a science community rather than a bio-science community," Pelton told an audience of about 90 people during a luncheon sponsored by the Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Pelton, who was instrumental in bringing Scripps to the area, said creating a culture that attracts world-class minds in a myraid of scientific disciplines would attract other companies to the area.
In turn, this will create opportunities here that will "attract my children back for jobs," he said. "It's not about Scripps, it's about the opportunity that's been thrust into my laps. This is going to be a great journey."
Without naming names, Pelton said he has been contacted by some "major" out-of-state universities that are interested in doing clinical research in the area now that Scripps is locating here.
Scripps plans to occupy the first phase of the massive project which consists of about 4,000 acres, including proposed housing - in November 2006.
Pelton said within 15 years, he expects 2700 Scripps employees at the site, including 2,000 scientists.
He added that he hopes to see businesses that come to the area to be near Scripps generate up to 12,000 jobs. About 50,000 jobs are expected to be generated statewide because of Scripps, Pelton said.
In an interview after the speech, Pelton said the impact of Scripps on the Treasure Coast would be "what the Treasure Coast wants it to be."
"St. Lucie County plans to be very aggressive about going after research and (pharmaceutical) companies, while Martin County is still debating," he said. "I will create the nucleus. It's up to them after that."
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The per capitia income in Palm Beach County is ranked highest in the state of Florida! It is 150 percent of the state average and 143 percent of the national average! The employment rate for 2003 has increased 1.9 percent.
The quality of life in the Jupiter, Juno Beach, and Tequesta area seems to lure business and industry, which in turn provides the talent for a strong and stable economic base.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
