“$100 million bucks can spark a lot of economic activity.”
The $100 million was already “sparking” where it was.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window
Paul Allen is developing a LOT of business and research property in Seattle. I think it is just the buildings, but he may finance/own some of the companies as well.
I didn’t read the article, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he dumps a lot of money into this research as well in order to make a buck on devices, medical discoveries, etc.