As announced in the Daily Journal of Commerce on March 19th, Newport is in line to have another jewel installed in it’s crown of excellent marine research. Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal and Marine Genomics Building received a big boost from the Oregon Legislature recently when $9 million was dedicated to the funding of the $25 million project. This was signed into law by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Led by Bruce Mate Phd, the director of OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute, this will allow an expansion off faculty, staff and students from 28 to over 100. Mate quotes an economist’s estimate that construction of the building alone will inject 160 percent of the money spent on the project into the local economy. At the same time, an economy of space will be realized by housing all the functions under on roof.
Rendering of the $25 million Marine Mammal and Marine Genomics Building (image courtesy of Oregon State University)
Becoming the “Woods Hole of the West” (coined by Jock Mills, director of government relations for OSU) would be more about external recognition than any need for local approval. Here on the Coast we are really proud of our scientists – investigators, graduate students and even undergraduate students. They bring about a new awareness of our complex and interwoven environment. On your next visit to the Coast, let me know you’ll be in town. I would be delighted to share my impressions of the Coastal scene from a 20 year resident’s perspective.
