Federal grant for Plant Science Center expansion
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
July 19, 2010
By Steve Giegerich
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Monday that the government is providing the Danforth Plant Science Center and St. Louis County with a $4.6 million economic development grant to fund an expansion of the Bio Research and Developmental Growth hub (BRDGPark).
BRDGPark President Sam Fiorella said approximately half the funds will go toward the construction of a "badly needed" third BRDGPark greenhouse.
The count will use the remainder of the money to complete the renovation of a facility that will serve as a business incubator for bio-tech start-ups.
The greenhouse will complement a bio-technician training program that pairs St. Louis Community College students with Danforth scientists.
Commerce officials say the grant could generate as many as 1,100 jobs while generating $50 million in private capital investment in bio-fuel, pharmaceuticals and other Danforth Center ventures.
