Research Parks RoundUp

Having the tools and resources to develop innovative concepts and products and move discoveries from the lab to the marketplace is an essential component for building tech-based economies. Research parks, a place where innovative ideas are borne, partnerships between university and industry are created, and companies grow and create new jobs, provide a foundation for the kind of economic growth necessary to compete in a global economy. Over the past few months, development plans and groundbreaking announcements from research parks across the nation have been made.

Construction on the first building of Innovation Park, a Missouri University of Science & Technology Research Park, began in March on what used to be a 60-acre golf course. When completed, the building will provide 18,500 sq. ft. of office suites and shared office space for tenants. The concept for a research park on the Missouri S&T campus has been a topic of discussion for more than 10 years, according to the university. Innovation Park is slated to open in October 2010.

Plans for a recently announced $20 million venture-backed commercialization hub at the University of Minnesota would include a 60,000-square-foot Center for Life Science Technology Commercialization to help move ideas and technology from university biomedical researchers into viable startups, reports Med City News. The center is the first step in establishing the Minnesota Science Park, a $750 million project that includes several facilities located near the Biomedical Discovery District.

Planning for a science and technology park in the town of Alabama, New York is underway with hopes of leveraging the state's high-tech investment in a similar manner as in the eastern part of the state. The Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) would be the site of an advanced manufacturer of solar panels, computer chips and flat TV panel displays modeled after a similar park in Saratoga County, reports Buffalo News.

Earlier this year, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin announced the state's commitment to revitalizing the South Charleston Technology Park and requested the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to move forward on a property transfer agreement with The Dow Chemical Company. Plans for a new West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park will focus on translating investments in higher education and research into business and economic opportunities, according to the governor's office. In November 2009, the Economic Development Administration awarded a $250,000 planning grant to support the park's redevelopment.

The University of Arizona broke ground late last year on a 54-acre bioscience park. Bio Park boasts 2.4 million sq. ft. in laboratory and office space, a science and technical high school affiliated with Tucson United School District, hotel and conference center, and university housing. Phase one development is funded by a $4.7 million grant from the Economic Development Administration as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Conceptual drawings for Innovation Square, an 11-acre site linking the University of Florida (UF) campus to downtown Gainesville, were unveiled in March. Florida Innovation Hub at UF would be the anchor of the corridor, which will house UF startup technology companies and related businesses. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2011. Funding comes from an $8.2 million Economic Development Administration grant and $5 million from the university.