Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s “favorably disposed” to the University of Florida’s proposal to build a health and financial technology graduate center in or near Downtown Jacksonville.

DeSantis’ comments Tuesday in Jacksonville were his first public display of approval for the graduate center, which UF and the city say will support workforce demand for biomedical technology, health applications of artificial intelligence, patient quality and safety, health care administration and fintech expertise.

The Jacksonville City Council agreed in March to contribute $50 million over the next three years for the center, which is estimated to cost $150 million to $200 million. State House and Senate lawmakers also included $75 million for the UF center in the state’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget.

Read the rest of this story at the Jacksonville Daily Record, a Jacksonville Today news partner.