Jackson Lab abandons Sarasota bid

Realizing that it would not get the $100 million in state funding it was seeking, The Jackson Laboratory withdrew its request, ending its proposed expansion into Sarasota County.

“We were invited to submit a much-reduced proposal to the (state), but the amount available … and the uncertainty of future funding, made such a venture too speculative to undertake,” said Charles Hewett, Jackson Lab’s executive vice president.

The Bar Harbor, Maine-based genetic research facility had sought an additional $100 from Sarasota County.
Commissioners had indicated that if the state produced its $100 million, they would ask county voters to approve the county funding.

Jackson Lab had said its Sarasota County facility would directly create more than 400 jobs and indirectly create up to 3,000 more that would support its presence here.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].