MARICOPA - Arizona's bioscience industry is on the brink of explosion and Maricopa has a personal connection to the emerging field.

City Manager Rick Buss has been hand-selected to serve on Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, a group commissioned with leading a statewide effort to build Arizona's future in bioindustry.

"The intent is to do this through the formation and deployment of a road map that uses a comprehensive partnership of private and public sector leadership," Buss said. "Arizona is in a great position to seize a window of opportunity that is much akin to the microelectronics boom it experienced that began when Motorola set up shop in Phoenix in the 1940s."

The committee, made up of industry leaders, elected officials and entrepreneurs from across Arizona, met for the first time in Phoenix earlier this month. Buss said he has a longtime vested interest in bioscience, which dates back to his days as an owner of a contamination control firm for advanced technology facilities.

"I'm also a founding member of Construction Research and Education for Advance Technology Environments (CREATE) at ASU," Buss said. "While working for the Economic Affairs Department, I was the principal author of research documents on converting existing vacant cleanrooms to wet labs. So, yes, I've had quite a bit of involvement in the advanced technology field, from owners through supply chain organizations."

Recently, Jerry Bisgrove, a Scottsdale philanthropist and chair of the Stardust Companies, put forth a $100 million donation to foster the bioscience industry in Arizona. Bisgrove's donation is contingent upon a matching $100 million gift from the state.

"I think Mr. Bisgrove's offer of $100 million is a fantastic offer, and the kind of commitment the state of Arizona needs," Buss said. "Based on what I've been reading, it looks like the chances of the state approving matching funds are very good. This kind of donations exhibits a strong commitment on behalf of the state and its citizens and enhances opportunities at the federal level."

With the $100 million donation, as well as world-class talent moving into the state including Jeffrey Trent of TGEN and George Poste of Arizona Bio, Arizona is quickly earning a position as a global player in biotechnology. Buss said Maricopa is also poised to earn a piece of the multibillion-dollar bioscience pie.

"Boldly stated, I do see Maricopa as a possible future home for bioindustry. Although we need to continue to upgrade infrastructure, the key advantage we have as a city is its people," Buss said. "In other words, the talent pool is already here. I don't know if my appointment to this committee will help Maricopa 'land' a bioscience firm, but it will certainly raise its visibility."

Potential employers include at least one major bioscience firm. Bringing that industry to Maricopa is, however an extensive process.

"Economic development takes time, a focused effort and the right people with global networking reach," Buss said. "Our City Council realized early in the city's birth of these traits, and wisely invested early on and continues to do so."

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2006