August 2, 2006

 

Ms. Debbie Van Saun

Assistant City Manager

6 East 6th Street, P.O. Box 708

Lawrence, KS 66044

 

Dear Ms. Van Saun:

 

Please accept this letter as fulfilling the 6 month update requirement for funding received from the City of Lawrence.  

 

The Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority has been established and the Articles of Incorporation were signed on February 28, 2006.  The Authority Board is comprised of the following members: Bob Johnson (Douglas County), Dennis “Boog” Highberger (City of Lawrence), Lavern Squier (Lawrence Chamber of Commerce), and Jim Roberts (University of Kansas).  LaVerne Epp, Val Stella and Diarmuid Boran are the at-large representatives to complete the current Board.  The Board has approved bylaws and approved having Bogner & Long as the accountant for the organization.  They have asked that a bank account be set-up for handling money received from the City of Lawrence and Douglas County.  At a meeting on June 28, 2006 the following officers were approved:  President-LaVerne Epp, Vice President-Bob Johnson, Secretary-Lavern Squier, and Treasurer-Boog Highberger. 

 

Invoices for the approved $200,000 from both the city and county have been sent.  At this time the Board has not officially approved any expenditure as they are awaiting receipt of the funds.  The Board has been in conversations regarding the hiring of personnel and future need for wet lab space.  The mapping of a directional plan has not officially taken place as staff for the Authority has not been recruited.  When this position is filled, that individual will have a direct impact on the future plans for the bioscience initiative.  However, the budget included with the 2006 and 2007 budget requests is relevant for the proposed future spending of funds. 

 

Several members of the Board attended the BIO 2006 conference in Chicago.  This was a great networking opportunity as they toured the exhibit hall.  The exhibit hall at BIO 2006 was the largest gathering of biotechnology exhibitors in history, including more than 1700 companies, organizations, and institutions representing every aspect of the bio industry.  Inquiries from bioscience companies continue to dominate the prospects received from companies and from consultants.  Our future efforts to lure these companies to our area will be directly impacted by the future of the Biosciences Authority.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to provide further information on the Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority, Inc.  Please contact me if you have further questions.

 

Sincerely,

Beth A. Johnson

Vice President, Economic Development