The Institute for the Ages Is Coming of Age

From time to time over the past couple of years I have used this space to talk about the progress toward launching the Institute for the Ages.  It is "crunch" time and I want to share a couple facts with you and make a request. 

FACTS

• The Institute is already separate from SCOPE - A new corporation has been established and a new board has been created.  That board will facilitate the launch and the transition to a board that is predominately made up of national members.  SCOPE will help through the transition to a new board and a new CEO and staff.
• The Institute is an economic development opportunity - a detailed economic impact assessment predicts that spin-off activity from the Institute will result in 700-800 new local jobs.  Sean Snaith, PhD, a well-regarded economist from the University of Central Florida, believes the Institute is worth significant investment.  The Economic Development Corporation believes it is one of the assets for future job growth.   
• The Institute needs start-up capital - The Institute will be self-sustaining but like all new businesses, it needs start-up support to get to that point.  Some of that support is to come from local organizations and individuals, some from local foundations and some from national foundations.  The fourth leg of this table of start-up support is Sarasota County economic incentive funds.
• We are poised to be the center of innovation and creativity around a global issue - The size and importance of this issue cannot be overstated.  Eric Dishman, an Intel Fellow in the field of the technology related to aging, made the following statements in a March speech.  "In closing, I want to reiterate a message I have played over and over again...we need to prepare for Global Aging much as we do Global Warming.  Just as our state (and our nation), are competing to try to become a leader in Green Tech industries to address Global Warming, so too, we should be competing to become a leader in Gray Tech industries for Global Aging.  The issues and needs are no less urgent or pervasive; the opportunities for economic growth...are no less promising."

REQUEST

Please plan to show your support for the Institute by contacting each County Commissioner to share your enthusiasm for the Institute.  The email addresses are: jbarbett@scgov.net; cmason@scgov.net; npatters@scgov.net; jthaxton@scgov.net; crobinson@scgov.net 

Want to come to the meeting? 

July 27 at 9:00 am
Sarasota County Administration Building
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 

Tim Dutton

Executive Director