(Tucson, Arizona) On August 29, University of Arizona President Eugene Sander toured the University’s Research Parks. The Office of University Research Parks supports the University of Arizona’s mission of education, research and outreach by utilizing research parks and business incubators to advance technology development, commercialization and business attraction.
President Sander toured the University of Arizona’s 65 acre Bio Park site at 36th Street and Kino Parkway. The University is developing the UA Bio Park as a home for life and biosciences companies near main campus. The UA Bio Park is part of a master-planned 350-acre mixed-use development project called The Bridges. President Sander was briefed on the current status of the Bio Park and how the $4.7 million dollar grant from the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) made it possible to develop the critical infrastructure necessary to make the parcel development ready. He appreciated the team work between the private and public sector organizations involved that made the project materialize.
President Sander’s continued his briefing at the UA Tech Park located at Interstate-10 and Rita Road. The UA Tech Park contributes $3.0 billion annually to Pima County’s economy. It is one of the region’s largest employment centers hosting approximately 45 businesses and organizations that employee 7,000 people.
The President toured the following locations at the UA Tech Park:
- Vail Academy and High School, the nation’s first k-12 school located in a university related research park in the United States.
- The Solar Zone, a 250 acre project designed to develop and test solar products and technologies. The Solar Zone will accommodate solar energy development from research to manufacturing and assembly.
- The Arizona Center for Innovation, a specialized business incubator designed to meet the dynamic needs of developing technology companies.
President Sander was also briefed on the following initiatives:
- The Border Commercialization Center, to test and evaluate defense and border security technology.
- Solar go-kart race car competition for high school students
- Statewide incubation program
- Community partners
“It is a privilege to brief President Sander on the UA Research Parks. Here he can see first-hand how the University of Arizona’s cutting-edge research translates into companies and jobs,” said Bruce Wright, Associate Vice President for University Research Parks.
The Office of University Research Parks (OURP) creates Communities of Innovation in support of the University of Arizona’s mission of education, research and outreach. OURP manages the UA Tech Park, UA Bio Park and the Arizona Center for Innovation. To learn more please visit www.ourparks.arizona.edu.
Media inquiries
Jessa B. Turner ● Media & Public Relations Coordinator ● (520) 382-2485 ●jbturner@uatechpark.org