January 23, 2008

STENNIS SPACE CENTER –

Infinity at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Hancock County has received a $100,000 grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation.The $42 million state-of-the-art science center and visitor attraction, Mississippi’s first interactive science center, will be built along Interstate 10 at Exit 2 adjacent to the Mississippi Welcome Center and south of the entrance to Stennis Space Center.

“The Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation is pleased to have an opportunity to participate in one of the most significant community and economic-development events in the history of South Mississippi,” said Dr. Ted Alexander, the foundation’s CEO.

In March 2007 the Mississippi Legislature passed Senate Bill 3190, which increased the state’s financial support from the $6 million approved in 2006 to $10 million. Infinity’s board of directors is working to raise at least $8 million to qualify for additional support from NASA and other agencies. Mississippi Power Company, Hancock Bank, Mississippi Space Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, Honeywell Corporation and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation are among the organizations that have contributed more than $3.6 million to the project.

“This is extremely good news for the Mississippi Coast and the entire Gulf region,” said Leo Seal, Infinity board chairman and chairman of Hancock Bank. “With this commitment we can now start moving ahead with plans to move Infinity from the drawing board to the construction stage.”

Infinity is anticipated to open in 2010.

The science center will “inspire, amaze and engage those who visit,” education program development director John Wilson said. “Imagine a project in which the finest minds in earth and space sciences combine with the creativity of world-class exhibit designers, and you get an idea of what to expect from Infinity. This will be a place that attracts millions of visitors and helps reshape the image of Mississippi as a center of science, technology and education.”

A feasibility study done for the project anticipates about 300,000 visitors to the site each of its first five years, producing a local economic impact in excess of $35 million annually. The science and visitors center will also produce more than 50 jobs and impact an additional 850 indirect jobs, the study says.

The local fundraising for Infinity continues, Wilson said. For more information on the science and visitor center or to donate, visit the Infinity Web site at InfinityScience Center.org.

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