MAY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE 47
County officials for about five acres of county-owned land
in Nathan Benderson Park as the aquarium’s new home.
“Our continued discussions have been very positive. I think
everyone in the community sees the value when you look
objectively at the growth of the community and the growth
of Mote,” Crosby said. “It’s not just about science, it’s about
the economy and our need for STEM education and STEM
workforce development. Both are an important part of our
new aquarium, and I think everyone wants to work together
to make this happen.”
Although Mote’s informal science and ocean literacy education
reaches more than 300,000 visitors annually, plans are to
expand opportunities to provide area students with a higher
level of science education. Hands-on activities in classrooms
and interactive labs will be offered to all schools regionally
at no cost. “Every child in this region will have the chance to
have hands-on STEM opportunities they otherwise would not
be able to have,” Crosby said. “They’ll have the opportunity to
work with our scientists, and all high school students will have
the chance to do hands-on research.” Plans include outreach
to students from underserved populations and to those who
are underrepresented in marine science and technology.
To create Mote Science Education Aquarium, the Oceans for
All fundraising effort encompass three sources: individual
donors, families and foundations, corporate and organizational
sponsors, and local and state government funding. For
individuals and families, Crosby said, “Whether you are into
supporting conservation, recreational fishing, or paradigmchanging
science, we have more than 20 research topics here
focused on ensuring we do have oceans for all. We also want
to reach out to those who see a once in a lifetime opportunity
to be part of something incredibly important.” Over the past
five years, Mote has had nearly 600 active research projects.
The Nathan Benderson Park location, with its proximity to I-75,
puts 3 million residents within a one-hour drive of Mote Science
Education Aquarium. Because its projected attendance numbers
are so large, fundraising with large corporate sponsors is an
opportunity. Feasibility studies put attendance in the first year
at 700,000, double the current level, and the aquarium is built
to accommodate 1 million visitors annually.
With projected economic impacts of the new aquarium and
keeping in mind the longer-term desire to build a “blue economy”
with a marine science and technology sector, local and state
funding sources are being sought. The aquarium’s construction is
projected to generate nearly $280 million in direct and indirect
expenditures and employment of 3,123 in total person-years.
Ongoing economic impact is estimated at $28 million annually,
compared with today’s $12 million economic impact from
the aquarium, and employment is expected at 260 direct and
indirect jobs.
“We are going to do this together. It is going to be a community
effort. The community helped build Mote into what it is today,
and I can’t underscore enough that it is because we are in such
a special community of people, we are very confident that
we are going to achieve this goal,” Crosby said. “We are not
just doing this to build and operate a new science education
aquarium, the broader vision is that this aquarium allows us to
have amazing impacts on the economy, the quality of life, and
long-term conservation and sustainable use of our oceans.”