Due to the comprehensive nature of any association publication*, it is impossible to endorse its content simply because issues could arise that have not been voted on for
the welfare of the general membership. With this in mind, the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association does not necessarily
endorse the content of this publication.

All advertising is subject to GGEACA approval. All advertising is subject to adjustment, relocation, resizing and alteration or removal without notice. Claims regarding Website availability are based on best effort by host provider and are not guaranteed.

By submitting articles, graphics and/or photography you give the GGEACA permission to use, copy, print, alter and publish these works within any of its publications. Newsletter, advertising, this Website or any other materials.
2009 Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association Inc.
" Shawn Bess as a member of Estates-Civic was asked by me to file his report on the EDC tour of the Burnham
Biomedical complex at Lake Nona, near Orlando in connection with the Jackson Labs proposal for Ave Maria.
His report is as follows:"
(Peter Gaddy President GGEACA)

All,

I just returned from Lake Nona. I wanted to update you on the trip.
It appears the life sciences hub developed at Lake Nona Medical City occurred as a result of the College of Medicine established by the University of Central Florida. Other facilities were attracted to the College of Medicine and the land was donated by Joe Lewis of Tavistock Group.

The Sanford/Burnham Medical Research Institute was the only facility in the group that received Florida State and local tax dollars. When the development was first conceptualized, the economic climate was significantly superior to the climate of today and the main source of funding came from business and other philanthropic donations.

Multiple presenters indicated that the Medical City could not have been created without the vast private partnerships that generated funds for the project. Just a few of the partners included Lockheed Martin, University of Florida, local utility companies, Disney, and countless other well financed and large conglomerates.

According to Ray Gilley of the Metro Orlando EDC, local taxes that supported the project included a taxpayer base population of over 3 million residents. In Collier County, the tax base is approximately 315,000 in comparison to Orange County's three million. It is also important to note that the tax base included four counties and the city of Orlando.

The Jackson Labs establishment of operations in Collier County is not comparable to the life sciences hub that grew from the UCF College of Medicine. The size of the community and number of businesses in Collier County is significantly less than those in Orlando. Two of the key factors involved in the attraction of other medical related facilities to Orlando were proximity to an international airport and availability of convention center facilities. Neither of which are available in Collier County.

In conclusion, if the Collier County EDC can raise the funds from private and corporate sources to support the Jackson Labs project, I am not opposed to the proposal. The return on investment for the Jackson Labs project will not be significant enough to justify the additional tax burden on the citizens of Collier County.

Shawn Bess, Naples, FL

U.S. Navy Retired

"Ask the Chief"


NDN Jackson Labs Poll