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Draper Confirms Plan To Add USF, St. Pete Facilities

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2008

TAMPA - Draper Laboratory made it official today.

The Massachusetts-based research corporation announced that it will open an estimated $20 million research center at the University of South Florida in Tampa and a microchip manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg.

The deal comes with a raft of economic development incentives from the state of Florida and Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Hillsborough commissioners authorized $6 million in incentives.

Between the two locations, Draper will employ 165 people with an average wage of $75,000, according to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's office.

Draper is among a handful of nationally renowned research groups that explore long-term technical projects, often by contract with the federal government, then spinning off the technology into new corporations.

At USF, Draper proposes to explore micro technologies for health and medicine. In St. Petersburg, Draper plans a microchip design and manufacturing site. Draper also proposes to work with Progress Energy Inc. on improving the efficiency of coal-burning power plants with new sensors.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or rmullins@tampatrib.com.

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