NORTH PORT - Local leaders are still holding out hope the state legislature will find $100 million to help Jackson Labs build a facility on the Suncoast.  It would then likely be up to Sarasota County voters to come up with another $100 million.

So far the North Port community is rallying around bringing the facility there, to an area with land, housing, and a workforce they say is a perfect fit.

The North Port area Chamber of Commerce works hard to promote local business. Executive Director Bill Gunnin says Jackson Labs and the up to 3,000 jobs they say their presence would create is apart of that. "Obviously if they come in here and bring a tremendous amount of jobs it would help clean up some of those homes."

That's why the chamber is asking all of their members to contact local and state lawmakers, wanting them to help come up with the money the not for profit genetics researching institute says they need to start.  "First priority is to get them in Sarasota County. We want them in Sarasota County, which has already been decided. If we can get them in North Port it is just a plus."

"This is a grassroots effort. This really is people expressing what they want." Wendy Namack is with Vision North Port, an organization which represents residents' wants and desires.  They're on board, too. "Right now we are putting together a Facebook page where you can post different articles and information.  We are going to be starting a YouTube video which will summarize not only the project from the Jackson Labs standpoint, but what it will mean to the people in this community."

The company, which is looking for cures for diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, is looking for hundreds of acres.  Terri A. Hansen and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice have been a big part in getting the company to select the area.  "What they want to do is create a village...a biomedical village.  Not only their 50 acres, but acreage around there to have a work-live village."

The institute's part would be a 129,000 square foot research facility.  It's believed there are at least five sites up for selection.  "There are lots of options. There is a lot of land in Sarasota County. They will be here at the end of April to review those options."

Gunnin, who's organization posted the addresses and phone numbers to local and state leaders in the paper Tuesday, says everyone in the area should be pressuring lawmakers to come up with the money. "Obviously the session is going to end soon so we want them to know here in Sarasota County and North Port we want Jackson Labs."

Now some of those sites include North Port, 325 acres near I-75 and Fruitville Road, and 300 acres between Border and Laurel Roads in Venice.