Collaboration fruitful for WL, Research Park

The city of West Lafayette has poured millions of dollars into Purdue Research Park, and scoring companies such as EDS has been its reward.

Purdue Research Foundation and city officials point to the collaboration between the two entities as the reason for much of the success the research park has had.

That collaboration has created a park with more than 160 businesses located there or affiliated with it.

"It wouldn't work without it," Joe Hornett said of the relationship with the city. Hornett is senior vice president, treasurer and chief operating officer of Purdue Research Foundation.

"Anytime we bring someone in here and they see the collaboration and partnership, it helps seal the deal."

West Lafayette has spent about $8 million on improvements at the park since 1993 and has pledged millions more.

The city will give $1.5 million in incentives to get EDS in the park; $4.57 million more has been pledged by the city for future projects.

Some of that has gone for buildings, lighting, roads and even adding trails in and around the research park. And it doesn't count tax breaks companies have received for locating there.

"It's amazing the compliments we get on the trail system," Hornett said. "It adds to the quality of life."

Mayor John Dennis said the money comes back to the city, though, because the collaboration brings in tax dollars.

"It means more jobs," Dennis said.

"It increases the value of our city. It increases the status of our community."

Dennis said he believes the partnership will continue for decades to come.

"We are truly fortunate to have such a significant resource here. It brings not only national, but international focus here as well," Dennis said.

"Right now, this is truly one of the crown jewels of the state."

Andrew McCann, vice president of U.S. government solutions for EDS, said seeing the working relationship the park has with the city was a factor in the company's decision to locate here.

"Just the fact that they collaborated so much," McCann said., "made it an easy choice."

{}At a glance

Here's a look at West Lafayette's Purdue Research Park.

Founded: 1961

Size: 725 acres and 51 buildings

Companies: 147 companies and 15 affiliate companies. About 100 of these are high-tech companies.

Employees: About 2,900 with another 200 expected from EDS.

Average salary: $52,000

Top 10 employers: One Purdue, Med Institute Inc., Cook Biotech Inc., SSCi, Butler International, Purdue Research Foundation, Delphi E&S-Verification Lab, Quadraspec Inc., Endocyte Inc. and ICx Griffin Analytical Technologies Inc.

Other research parks: Purdue also has a park in Crown Point and is developing parks in New Albany and Indianapolis.