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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Michelle Reardon |
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Thursday, July 19, 2000 |
302/577-8701 |
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Newark, DE - Delaware Technology Park marked a turning point in its role as the state's first public-private research complex with the unveiling of two new buildings today. The open house and dedication ceremony included tours of two buildings built by a partnership between Delaware Technology Park, Inc. and the University City Science Center in Philadelphia. Both of the new buildings are already fully occupied, demonstrating the success of the state's premiere technology park and business incubator facility. In attendance at the Technology Park, located at Marrows and Wyoming Roads in Newark, were Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper; Dr. David Roselle, President of the University of Delaware; J. Michael Bowman, chairman and president of the Delaware Technology Park; Jill R. Felix, president of the University City Science Center; and Dr. David S. Weir, director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute as well as representatives from some of the businesses housed in the Technology Park. "Delaware is nationally recognized for its ability to attract new businesses and to foster growth among current businesses," Carper said. "Although we still enjoy the cars, chemicals and chickens to help power our economy, the First State is steadily becoming a hub for technology. We welcome projects like the Delaware Technology Park to fuel this economic growth. Technological advancements and e-commerce are the engines that will drive economic development well into the 21st century." The goal of the park is to attract cutting-edge businesses in information technology, biotechnology and advanced materials. Part of that mission is to foster start-up businesses that have the potential to evolve into major employers offering well-paid, highly skilled jobs in the First State. The park offers below-market rental rates, works with businesses to secure financing and develop business plans and provides other mentoring services. With the addition of these three buildings, the park - a unique three-way collaboration that includes the state, academia and private industry - is now approximately two-thirds complete. When its current site is completed, the park will have a total of six buildings and 350,000 square feet of office, laboratory and light manufacturing space. It is expected that approximately 750 people will be employed there. The two new buildings bring the available space to 111,000 square feet. Delaware Technology Park grew out of a High-Technology Task Force created by the administration of then Gov. Michael N. Castle in 1986. Following the report by the task force, the University of Delaware set aside 40 acres on the eastern edge of the campus for the creation of the park. In addition, the state contributed $6 million for the construction of the first building. Two other institutions of higher education--Delaware Technical and Community College and Delaware State University- are also involved in the economic development of the park. The DuPont Co.'s Advanced Materials business became the first major tenant in the 48,000-square-foot building that opened in 1993. Today, the park is home to roughly 30 businesses and approximately 300 employees, including Quantum Leap Innovations Inc., Optigenix Inc. and the Delaware Small Business Development Center. A key partner in the development of the project has been University City Science Center in Philadelphia, a non-profit corporation owned by 30 academic and scientific institutions from New York City to Washington, D.C. The Science Center joined with the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the Delaware Technology Park to build the two new buildings at the park. "The Science Center and DTP are committed to supporting entrepreneurship and the development of new technologies," said Felix. "Our partnership has allowed us to create a state-of-the-art environment that supports that goal." The largest building in the Delaware Technology Park will be the new center for the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. The institute is dedicated to creating high-quality jobs, leading-edge science and new educational programs. The Biotechnology Institute is another state, academia, and private industry collaboration. Its new 72,000-square-foot building, scheduled for completion in September, will be an important anchor for the park. Private industry contributions include a recent gift of $1 million from Hercules, Inc., one of the world's largest chemical companies, to aid in the Institute's continuing life sciences research. "Life sciences in the areas of agriculture, human health, advanced materials and marine studies clearly represents a major scientific, educational, and economic opportunity for Delaware," said David S. Weir, director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. "Three powerful components are now at work to take advantage of this opportunity. They include the partnership among the state, academia and the private sector, the interdisciplinary approach that allows for both research and education, and the potential for job creation through start-up companies, academia and established private sector businesses." |
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