Nov. 18, 2010
Final Recommendations For Development Of The West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park Released
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) - Representatives of Battelle, a leading independent research and development organization, together with CH2M HILL, a top architect and engineering firm, today released their final findings and recommendations following a months-long assessment of opportunities to develop the new West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park. The Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is on track to formally own the park on December 15, 2010.
"From day one, the park will pay critical dividends for economic development in the state," said Dr. Brian Noland, the Commission's Chancellor. "By advancing the park as part of the Commission's statewide higher education system, there is a renewed opportunity to promote innovation and commercialization in West Virginia. This report by Battelle offers a well-documented and strategic approach to moving forward."
As part of the report presented during the park's transition steering committee meeting, which included remarks from Willie Taylor, Regional Director of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Battelle called advancing technology development in West Virginia an "economic imperative."
"West Virginia must foster and advance technology-based development in order to generate high-quality jobs and raise its capabilities to remain competitive in an increasingly global, knowledge-based economy," the report states.
The preeminent goal of Battelle's proposals is to establish the park as a leader in the development research in energy, chemicals and materials - "industry clusters" that are significantly more concentrated in West Virginia, in terms of jobs, than across the country.
Battelle outlined recommendations in key areas, including program development, which includes four specific initiatives for the park:
* Filling a critical gap in the commercialization process for pilot production, which will likely include contract manufacturing;
* Launching a proactive focus on the recruitment of innovative, emerging growth companies;
* Advancing hands-on skill training, which will be made possible by the establishment of a strong community and technical college presence at the park; and,
* Establishing a world-class chemical engineering research initiative to deepen West Virginia's capacity to be an innovation leader.
In addition to program development, Battelle's report includes options for a predictable and sustained source of funding, operating and managing the park, governance and staffing, and accommodation of new tenants.
Background
With support of then-Governor Joe Manchin and congressional and state representatives, the Commission voted in March of this year to accept a donation of facilities and property from Union Carbide Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, at its technology park in South Charleston. This decision effectively preserved 550 high-quality jobs that pay an average of $81,900 in salaries and wages. Anchor tenants at the park that serve as the cornerstone for development activities include Dow, MATRIC and Bayer CropScience.
Over the past eight months, the Commission has led a transition and planning phase for the park that included multiple meetings of the park's transition steering committee, which is comprised of representatives of higher education, state and federal government, and the state's high-tech and business communities.
Battelle, in collaboration with CH2M HILL, was chosen as a result of a grant issued to the Commission by the EDA to provide strategic, long-range planning and development services for the park. Battelle has worked closely with the steering committee and other key stakeholders in forming its findings and recommendations.
For more information, visit www.wvtechnologypark.com.
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Final Recommendations For Development Of The West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park Released
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) - Representatives of Battelle, a leading independent research and development organization, together with CH2M HILL, a top architect and engineering firm, today released their final findings and recommendations following a months-long assessment of opportunities to develop the new West Virginia Education, Research and Technology Park. The Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is on track to formally own the park on December 15, 2010.
"From day one, the park will pay critical dividends for economic development in the state," said Dr. Brian Noland, the Commission's Chancellor. "By advancing the park as part of the Commission's statewide higher education system, there is a renewed opportunity to promote innovation and commercialization in West Virginia. This report by Battelle offers a well-documented and strategic approach to moving forward."
As part of the report presented during the park's transition steering committee meeting, which included remarks from Willie Taylor, Regional Director of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Battelle called advancing technology development in West Virginia an "economic imperative."
"West Virginia must foster and advance technology-based development in order to generate high-quality jobs and raise its capabilities to remain competitive in an increasingly global, knowledge-based economy," the report states.
The preeminent goal of Battelle's proposals is to establish the park as a leader in the development research in energy, chemicals and materials - "industry clusters" that are significantly more concentrated in West Virginia, in terms of jobs, than across the country.
Battelle outlined recommendations in key areas, including program development, which includes four specific initiatives for the park:
* Filling a critical gap in the commercialization process for pilot production, which will likely include contract manufacturing;
* Launching a proactive focus on the recruitment of innovative, emerging growth companies;
* Advancing hands-on skill training, which will be made possible by the establishment of a strong community and technical college presence at the park; and,
* Establishing a world-class chemical engineering research initiative to deepen West Virginia's capacity to be an innovation leader.
In addition to program development, Battelle's report includes options for a predictable and sustained source of funding, operating and managing the park, governance and staffing, and accommodation of new tenants.
Background
With support of then-Governor Joe Manchin and congressional and state representatives, the Commission voted in March of this year to accept a donation of facilities and property from Union Carbide Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, at its technology park in South Charleston. This decision effectively preserved 550 high-quality jobs that pay an average of $81,900 in salaries and wages. Anchor tenants at the park that serve as the cornerstone for development activities include Dow, MATRIC and Bayer CropScience.
Over the past eight months, the Commission has led a transition and planning phase for the park that included multiple meetings of the park's transition steering committee, which is comprised of representatives of higher education, state and federal government, and the state's high-tech and business communities.
Battelle, in collaboration with CH2M HILL, was chosen as a result of a grant issued to the Commission by the EDA to provide strategic, long-range planning and development services for the park. Battelle has worked closely with the steering committee and other key stakeholders in forming its findings and recommendations.
For more information, visit www.wvtechnologypark.com.
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