Final part of a series
It’s easy to feel discouraged when examining what hasn’t materialized around the MagLab. There are no recognized clusters of private-sector R&D, no noticeable proliferation of startups, and no regional plan in place to activate this scientific powerhouse as an economic engine for North Florida.
But that reality is not set in stone.
The MagLab’s scientific output is elite. Its researchers are top-tier, and the facility’s presence in Tallahassee—backed by substantial NSF and state investment—is a rare asset.
And there are signs of life.
The Motor Drive Systems and Magnetics (MDSM) annual conference was held in Tallahassee for the first time this year and is returning in 2026.
Companies such as Biofront (disease testing kits) and Piersica (new battery technologies) have a toehold in Tallahassee.
What’s missing is a comprehensive strategy: a bold, shared vision among FSU, FAMU, TSC, the city, the county, state government and the business community. One that moves beyond resting on the lab’s reputation – and empty slogans like “Magnetics Capital of the World” — and actually delivers tangible results.
That means:
- FSU must open the gates — removing barriers to private-sector partnerships.
- The city must prioritize infrastructure, particularly power and site readiness for innovation-driven firms.
- The Chamber and economic development agencies must treat the MagLab as a keystone and persist when it comes to getting alignment among all the stakeholders listed above.
- And speaking of economic development, a collaboration between local government and the private sector must dramatically rework how OEV interacts with prospects to create a much higher level of agility and creativity.
- Leadership must emerge – that can convene stakeholders and tackle the issues that have led to 30 years of stagnation.
In the short term, here are 5 more quick wins that could be achieved in the next 24 months.
- Launch the MagLab Commercialization Challenge
An annual, high-visibility competition offering seed funding, lab access, and expert mentoring to startups or companies that can develop market-ready products from MagLab research. Winners commit to establishing or expanding operations in Tallahassee, turning lab breakthroughs into local jobs.
- Launch an “Innovation Sites” Map
Publish an online, publicly accessible map showing shovel-ready industrial parcels, with details on power capacity, broadband speed, and zoning — the same intel site selectors demand on day one.
- Secure a Signature Industry Partner
Land one high-visibility corporate tenant in advanced materials, clean energy, or biotech that actively uses MagLab capabilities, and announce it prominently.
- Host a National Tech + Science Summit in Tallahassee
Use the MagLab as the anchor venue for a multi-day, industry-heavy event — following the MDSM model but broadened to attract venture capital, suppliers, and manufacturing prospects.
- Set a Goal – and Achieve it
Commit to recruiting at least five MagLab-related companies and creating 250 new private-sector R&D/manufacturing jobs by the end of year two — and publish progress quarterly.
Conclusion
There is no way around it – Tallahassee’s inability to build an economy around the MagLab is a massive underachievement.
But it’s not too late to turn things around.
It starts with acknowledging how little has been done so far … and recognizing just how much is still possible through collaboration, humility, creativeness and energy.