By RICH SHOPES
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - The City Council voted today to give $2 million to a proposed cancer research center near the University of South Florida.

The council approved $800,000 plus $1.2 million in land costs to help create M2Gen, a joint venture between Merck & Co. and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

“No one can be a better spokesman for Moffit than I am,” Council Chairwoman Gwen Miller said.

Miller and her husband, Les, both have survived bouts with cancer.

The city’s contribution was the last piece of a funding package that includes $15 million from the state and $28 million from Hillsborough County. Merck plans to contribute more than $90 million.

“Now we are doing our part,” said Mark Huey, the city’s economic development administrator.

Moffitt officials have said M2Gen will generate 165 high-paying jobs and position Moffitt as a leader in the growing field of personalized medicine. It also might spawn lucrative spinoff companies to continue job growth.

Huey estimates the project will have a $1.6 million economic impact on the city, from property taxes and fees.

M2Gen is planned for an old air strip near USF, with construction to start in September. The facility would open about a year later, Moffitt spokeswoman Michelle Foley said.

The Merck-Moffitt deal is the latest research venture to receive public funding in Florida.

Last year, the state approved more than $150 million for a facility in Orlando for the Burnham Institute for Medical Research and $20 million for SRI International in St. Petersburg.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius contributed to this story. Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

Get Weekly Deals | Write a letter to the editor | Subscribe and get two weeks free | Place an Ad