On Monday, March 11, 2019, Commissioner Souto hosted three distinguished professors from Florida A&M University, Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean of the School of Agriculture, Dr. Lawrence Carter and Dr. Ray Mobley. We toured possible locations for a goat and sheep program here in Miami-Dade County in which they would start a research center.
Left to Right: Miami-Dade Agriculture Director Charles LaPradd, Dr. Lawrence Carter, Commissioner Javier Souto, Dr. Robert Taylor, Kevin Humes and Dr. Ray Mobley On February 6, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Resolution sponsored by Commissioner Souto directing the County Mayor to prepare a written report analyzing the means and methods by which the County could encourage the development of the genetics industry, both agricultural and human, within Miami-Dade County with the goal of creating in Miami-Dade County the Center for Genetics of the Americas.
At a minimum, such study shall include an analysis of (1) the desirability of those industries and their possible economic impact to Miami-Dade County by reference to, among other things, their economic impact in other comparable communities; (2) what economic development tools are available to the County (including federal and state incentive programs) to encourage and develop the presence of these industries in Miami-Dade County; (3) to what extent these industries are already located in Miami-Dade County; (4) to what extent institutions of higher learning in Miami-Dade County might be leveraged to encourage the development and expansion of the genetics industry in Miami-Dade County; and (5) any other recommendations that would assist in the development of Miami-Dade County as a global leader in genetics research.
