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Not too long ago, few people in Collier County had ever heard of Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit genetics research group headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Four staunch supporters began to change that after traveling to Maine and meeting Jackson scientists, and learning of their mission to help with the development of tailored therapies, based on individuals’ genetic composition, for disease prevention and treatment.

The number of local supporters has since swelled with the prospects that Jackson might build a research institute in eastern Collier, aided with local and state dollars, to stimulate the local economy.

“I’d like to say we struck a match and a bonfire started,” said Rainey Norins, a longtime Naples resident.

She and her husband, Dr. Leslie Norins, are half of the foursome. The other couple is Renee and Scott Relf.

In October 2007, Renee Relf founded and now chairs the Florida chapter of Jackson’s National Council, a volunteer group that strives to build awareness of Jackson, raise money for its research and host events to educate the public about human diseases.

Rainey Norins is vice chairwoman of the chapter.

For both women, their interest with Jackson began personally, with family members suffering debilitating illnesses and wishful thinking that meaningful treatment would arrive in time. That gave way to a broadened perspective of what the future may hold as genetic research moves toward targeted treatment _ personalized medicine_ and away from the historical realm of one-size-fits-all.

“They said, ‘We want to put Jackson on the map, we didn’t have much of a presence down here,” said Mike Hyde, vice president for advancement for Jackson.

In January 2008, a few months after starting the state chapter, Relf came up with the idea of a breakfast gathering the morning after a Naples Town Hall series event.

J. Craig Venter, a scientist not connected with Jackson, was the scheduled Town Hall speaker, where he intended to talk about the mapping of the human genome and his role in the scientific breakthrough in 2000.

For the breakfast event at Moorings Park retirement community the next day, Relf brought in Jackson’s president and chief executive officer, Dr. Rick Woychik. The idea was he would speak about what the human genome means to the individual.

But the afternoon of the Town Hall event, Venter’s plane was delayed due to weather. Woychik, already in Naples for his engagement the next day, was asked to fill in at Town Hall. He received a standing ovation after his presentation about personalized medicine.

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Since starting the state chapter of Jackson’s volunteer network, Relf and Norins have organized a dozen or more local events with Jackson scientists speaking about different diseases and scientific developments.

“We have raised half a million (dollars) for research over the past three years,” Relf said. “Every person I come into contact with is very interested in research and how (they) can help get it closer to home.”

Some of Relf’s and Norins’ success stems from their leadership roles with the NCH Hospital Ball Committee, organizing the biggest annual fundraiser for the NCH Healthcare System.

From the start, Relf was up-front with Jackson officials about the Stadium Naples corruption scandal nearly a decade ago that ensnared several Collier commissioners.

She was Renee Tolson at the time; a partner of Maricopa Hardy Development Group, which pitched the $100-million golf spectator arena. In 2003, she pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of failing to report currency to the state. She received a $5,000 fine.

“It does not come up (today),” Relf said of her involvement that time in her life. “I have done an enormous amount of volunteer work, philanthropy for this community. I have been a member of this community since 1990.”

Relf emphasizes she is strictly a volunteer for Jackson.

She and Norins describe themselves as being “infected” with the Jackson Laboratory “bug.”

“I am passionate about what the Jackson Laboratory is doing and what the National Council can do,” Relf said.

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At one of the chapter events in March 2008 with Jackson scientists speaking, Tammie Nemecek, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Council, was in the audience.

Shortly after, Nemecek approached Jackson officials about considering a presence in Naples, Hyde said.

The EDC, through its Project Innovation with community leaders to revive the local economy, was looking to dovetail on how other Florida communities have pursued biomedical firms for economic diversification.

“It was sort of a chain of circumstances, of people meeting people,” Hyde said of how things have evolved to where they are today.

After more than a year of Jackson and the EDC exploring a collaboration behind the scenes, the EDC and community leaders this past spring pursued state funding for Jackson to build a research branch in Naples.

The Barron Collier Co. agreed to donate 50 acres off Oil Well Road as the site.

The state Legislature allocated first-year funding of $50 million in the state budget, which awaits Gov. Charlie Crist’s approval, with the pledge of another $80 million in subsequent years.

Collier County would be required to match the state funding. County leaders and the EDC say the decision needs to be made in the coming months whether to proceed and if so, how to generate the county match.

What’s envisioned locally is a larger biomedical research park, with other medical-related companies setting up shop in the vicinity and the potential creation of thousands of jobs in the next decade and beyond.

Relf and Norins stand ready to support the Naples project, but say their chapter fundraising, as determined by Jackson’s National Council, is limited to research funding and not capital campaigns.

“That needs to be led by Jackson,” Norins said. “Of course we are cheering for it and we think the idea is spectacular.”

Relf said regardless of what happens with the Naples project, her support of Jackson’s research and her role with the chapter won’t end.

“I think it would be sad if we lose them,” Relf said. “This is our rebirth. This is an opportunity to bring more jobs and create a surge in the construction industry. Our construction industry would be reinvigorated, our home sales would be reinvigorated. Scientists would come for conferences and fill up hotels and restaurants. To me, it is a no-brainer.’

At the same time, she understands concerns voiced by some about the county potentially spending $130 million to lure an out-of-state group to Naples in hopes large-scale job creation will happen down the road.

This past week, Hyde told an East Naples audience that Jackson sees having to bring $500 million to the Naples institute in the first 10 years before it could achieve financial stability. The risks are mutual, he said.

“We have to do something,” Relf said, referring to the stagnant local economy that can no longer survive on tourism, construction and banking. “If this isn’t it, what is it? We as a community have an awesome opportunity to band together as a medical destination.”

__ Connect with reporter Liz Freeman at www.naplesnews.com/staff/liz_freeman