COLUMBUS, OH – Ground was broken today on Exploration Park, a high-tech research and office park on the grounds of Kennedy Space Center.

Officials from the State of Florida, Space Florida, NASA and The Pizzuti Companies, the park’s master developer, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Today’s groundbreaking at Exploration Park is a significant step in the creation of the premier research and office park in the country,” said Ron Pizzuti, chairman and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies. “Exploration Park will offer sustainable, state-of-the-art facilities that will play a key role in retaining and attracting new jobs to Florida’s Space Coast.”

“We’re excited about our role in this unique public-private partnership,” Pizzuti added. “Exploration Park’s location outside KSC’s security gates and near existing launch and payload processing facilities makes it an ideal site for companies associated with space-related activities.”

Phase One of Exploration Park will include up to 315,000 square feet of development on 60 acres. Up to eight buildings of educational, office, research/lab space and flexible high-bay facilities are planned.

Funding for infrastructure at Exploration Park was included in Florida’s 2010-2011 budget, signed by Gov. Charlie Crist in late May. The first building at Exploration Park is expected to open in early 2012.