Governor Charlie Crist: "Florida stands at the threshold of innovation - with scientific advancements and research being conducted at our fine private and public entities, our great State continues to open doors to discovery. Florida is well poised to deliver scientific and economic benefits well into the next century."

Senator Ken Pruitt: “It is our intention to leverage the groundbreaking research that has quietly been emerging in Florida for years in order to bring top science and technology based firms to the Research Coast. In the coming years, we will be a center for innovative research and technology, providing high wage employment and creating educational opportunities for our children.”

Christie Goldson, people manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.: "As the HR Manager for the new Wal-Mart Distribution Center, I moved to St. Lucie County in March 2003. The Workforce Development Board offered us office space until we could move into our temporary site. The staff at the Workforce Development Board introduced us to the community and government leaders and even assisted us with temporary housing for our management staff. They provided us with contacts and organizations to receive our grants and other key resources to ensure we had a successful start-up. The One Stop Career Centers worked closely with us in the hiring process for the next 2 years and helped us to staff the Distribution Center. Our staffing is based on volume and our highest staffing has been up to 1100 associates. The Workforce Development Board has been very resourceful, professional and supportive."

Mitchell Rubenstein, president, Home Town Cable Plus: "The rapid growth of Home Town Cable Plus has been nurtured in many ways by the business-friendly environment of the City of Port St. Lucie. The local government strives to attract good companies to the area and support corporate growth. It is no wonder to us that this continues to be one of the best communities in the county to locate a new business or grow an existing one.”

Dr. Harry W. Orf, vice president of operations and professor of chemistry, Scripps Florida: “With Scripps, Florida Atlantic University, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, and other institutions and companies initiating and expanding operations, the Treasure Coast has established itself as an emerging center of biomedical research.”

Dr. Calvin Arnold, laboratory director, USDA: “The U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, Florida is fortunate to be a part of a growing network of research and education facilities on the Treasure Coast. We are excited about the new research and education park being developed in the region which will result in new productive research collaborations.”

Frank T. Brogan, president, Florida Atlantic University: "Biomedical research activity is literally exploding at Florida Atlantic University as FAU faculty and student researchers join with world-class scientists at Scripps Florida, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and other distinguished research organizations to advance human knowledge about the cause, treatment and prevention of a wide variety of diseases. South Florida is well on its way to becoming a major center of scientific discovery, and FAU is a fully committed partner in this critically important enterprise."

Dr. Edwin R. Massey, president, Indian River Community College: “As Florida’s Treasure Coast evolves into a premiere hub for world-class research and innovation in bioscience, healthcare, advanced technology and homeland defense, Indian River Community College stands poised and ready to provide educational opportunities for high school graduates, career changers and incumbent workers. Using resources such as the 108,000 sq. ft. Kight Center for Emerging Technologies, students are already learning the latest techniques in manufacturing, rapid prototyping, internet securities, robotics, photonics, and optics. A 50-acre Public Safety Training Complex will be completed in October 2008 and will provide a living laboratory for homeland security and defense research, development and product testing. And a partnership with The Florida State University College of Medicine has established a regional branch campus at IRCC to train third and fourth year medical students.”

Dr. Richard Houghten, president, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies: “The shared commitment of government, business and education leaders to achievement in life sciences made St. Lucie County an exceptional choice for our new headquarters. It is an ideal destination for our scientists, combining opportunities for groundbreaking collaborative research with an outstanding quality of life."

Dr. Shirley Pomponi, president and CEO, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute: “Routinely, our most talented scientists get offers to join other research organizations, yet choose to remain at Harbor Branch. They stay because of the region’s quality of life and because they know that Florida and the Research Coast are committed to economic development through innovation, research and education.”

Linda Cox, executive director, St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce: “The St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have a wonderful partnership with our Economic Development Council. The EDC of St. Lucie County works diligently to help our business community grow and expand while assisting our Chamber in keeping our community healthy and prosperous. EDC is a great asset to our community and their commitment shows in all that they do.”