I saw that too. Too bad the student version of the C32 compiler is $1295 and the limitations are much more concrete than the C30 compiler's limits on optimizations (max of 64K program...pretty big...but still.) For $1200 you can get a Coldfire C/C++ IDE/compiler and the BDM module.
I was thinking about a dsPIC30F4013 board...
Breadboard, LCD & keypad. Things got two UARTS...
Actually the next kit will be either the 16F917 LCD thermostat + humidity with RS485 or an ENC28J60 + 18F4620 + 25LC1024 with RS485 and lots of I/O board.
Got both working prototypes, just refining the designs.