Pasco County life‑science leader Josh Carpenter announced that the Florida Oncology and Radiopharmaceutical Growth Engine (FORGE) has won a $47.3 million award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant will fund a regional effort to turn the Tampa Bay area – spanning Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties – into a national hub for radiopharmaceutical research, manufacturing and treatment.
Regional collaboration at the heart of the project
FORGE brings together five partners: Moffitt Cancer Center, the Moffitt‑anchored Speros life‑science campus, Embarc Collective, the University of South Florida and Pasco‑Hernando State College. Carpenter emphasized that the multi‑county approach is “paramount” for competing on a global scale, noting that shared resources and joint leadership will give the region a competitive edge.
Five major initiatives funded by the award
Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Moffitt will construct a 130,000‑square‑foot plant on the Speros campus. The Integrated Theranostics Center will enable scientists to produce isotopes and develop therapies for both research and clinical trials, with completion targeted for late 2029.
FORGE Incubator. Embarc Collective will manage an incubator located in the Moffitt Discovery and Innovation Center. The space will support up to 20 early‑stage life‑science and biotech companies focused on next‑generation cancer diagnostics and treatments, with doors opening in the first half of 2028.
Catalyst Convergence Center. Moffitt will add a four‑story, 120,000‑square‑foot office and laboratory building on the Speros campus to serve as a permanent home for FORGE startups and growing precision‑medicine firms, lowering overhead costs for entrepreneurs.
Radiochemistry training. The University of South Florida will launch the CORE Select Program to train nuclear pharmacists, creating a critical talent pipeline for hospitals, clinics and biotech firms that need skilled professionals to ensure quality and safety.
Associate‑degree expansion. Pasco‑Hernando State College will broaden its radiography and imaging associate‑degree offerings through the IMPACT program, strengthening the local workforce.
Why the initiative matters to families and faith‑based communities
Carpenter reminded listeners that “too many people die from cancer every year” and that the mission is not just to treat patients with yesterday’s drugs but to develop tomorrow’s cures. By fostering local jobs, high‑paying science careers and cutting‑edge treatments, the project aligns with traditional family values of providing for loved ones and protecting life.
Economic impact and next steps
The federal award is expected to generate hundreds of jobs, attract additional private investment and position the Tampa Bay region as a leader in a rapidly growing sector of the national economy. Local officials from the three counties have pledged continued support, and the partners plan to begin construction on the manufacturing facility and incubator later this year.
With the grant secured, FORGE moves from planning to execution, turning a regional vision into a tangible engine for innovation, jobs and improved health outcomes for Floridians.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
