$25 million for ERAU research park addition sought, then withdrawn by House sponsor

Last Friday, Rep. Tom Leek filed a bill requesting $25 million for a Center for Aerospace Technologies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with the promise of drawing companies and jobs.

Then, this week, Leek withdrew the bill, citing a mistake in the amount of the request.

The filing suggests ERAU wants to build a research, development and training center at its bustling research park in Daytona Beach.

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"(The center) will be the nexus of innovation and technological, intellectual and economic development for next-generation aero technologies and solutions to current and future industry challenges. The facility will contribute to workforce development and create high paying employment opportunities for residents," a description of the project reads.

The money would be entirely used for construction of a 65,000 square-foot facility.

"The completed Research Park East will solidify Embry-Riddle and Volusia County as the northern anchor of Florida’s Space Triangle," the request reads. "It will attract companies with high-paying jobs and serve as a catalyst for economic growth."

Rodney Cruise, senior vice president and chief operating officer at ERAU, offered a prepared statement when asked about the Center for Aerospace Technologies.

“Our vision for the center, like the rest of Embry-Riddle’s Research Park, is for it to become a platform for high-paying jobs, and to help companies start, grow and stay in Volusia County," Cruise said. "We are grateful for Rep. Leek and the State of Florida for all the support we have received to date for the growth and development of our research park.”

Last month, ERAU announced the hiring of Robert Sumwalt III, former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, to run an Aviation & Aerospace Safety Center. It was not clear whether the new research park aerospace center is connected to that.

Request will be refiled, Leek says

The reason for the withdrawal?

"The amount requested was wrong due to a miscommunication," Leek said in a text message Wednesday. "We will fix it and refile it."

He was asked what the correct request should have been.

He didn't answer directly, noting: "I'm sure it will be refiled soon."

The request was, by a wide margin, the largest among the 313 appropriations project bills filed in the House of Representatives by Wednesday.

The next largest request is $14 million for the extension of Ridge Road in Pasco County.

Rounding out the top five are: $8.9 million for the Broward College STEM Center remodeling and expansion; $8.2 million for the Wauchula water tower in Hardee County; and $8 million for the Morningside Drive Extension in Dade City.

Appropriations bills will be reviewed by lawmakers during the session that starts Jan. 11, with some making it into the 2022-23 budget.

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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ERAU research funds requested, then withdrawn by state Rep. Tom Leek