Email This StoryNew technology park unveiled
Oct. 27, 2009
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Courtesy PhotoA conceptual photo next to a current photo show the potential of the The Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative. The BRIC will provide a space for graduate research for Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science. |
By Laura Remson
Staff Writer
Baylor announced the launching of Central Texas Research and Technology Park, the region's first research park, at a news conference Friday.
Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) is the first project for the research park and will provide a space for graduate research for Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science, as well as other state, regional and national technology companies and commercial enterprises.
"I am thrilled. Period. I could almost stop on that and sit down," said Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy, who spoke at the event.
Also speaking at the event were Texas senator Kip Averitt, Texas Reps. Jim Dunnam and Charles 'Doc' Anderson, Clifton Robinson and Dr. David Garland, interim president of Baylor. It was attended by members of Baylor's Board of Regents and the Waco community.
| Central Texas Research and Technology Park and Baylor Research and Innovation Collaboration: •BRIC: An economic force for Waco •BRIC: A place for engineers' research •BRIC: creating something beautiful out of something formerly neglected •Baylor, local leaders announce Central Texas Research and Technology Park |
The research park will be built into the former General Tire facility, located on South Loop Drive. The plant was originally opened in the 1940s but closed in 1986. Many of the speakers pointed out the use of this facility is no coincidence and represents an important transition for Waco-- from manufacturing to research and technology.
"I can't think of a better way to use the General Tire facility to expand the footprint of Baylor University," said Anderson, who helped to secure government funding for the project. "Just like this building has a tremendous foundation, I'm convinced this will be successful."
The use of the General Tire building is particularly poignant for Dr. Elton Stuckly, the president of Texas State Technical College--Waco.
One of the biggest donations to the research park is that of Waco businessman and civic leader Clifton Robinson, who donated the site and building.
"This is turning lemons into lemonade," Robinson said.
Robinson said it was one of the easiest decisions he has made in his entire life.
Robinson also highlighted Dr. Robert Sloan's involvement in the effort.
"Without Robert Sloan's vision of 2012, we wouldn't be here today," Robinson said.
The new research park is a collaboration between Baylor University, Texas State Technical College, McLennan Community College, McLennan County, the City of Waco, the City of Bellmead, Waco-McLennan County Development Corporation, Bellmead Economic Development Corp., Waco Industrial Foundation, Heart of Texas Council of Governments and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.
"The BRIC is an example of what we can achieve when we harness all of the resources of our community and we work together. I am very proud to be a part of this exciting initiative," Garland said.
Garland said the work being done among the city of Waco and its three colleges has the potential for success.
"The City of Waco has also developed a strategic vision for its future," he said. "The wide- ranging and broadly supported Community Visioning Process has been designed to strengthen our community's economic, social and cultural capacities."
The research facility will be transferred to a nonprofit corporation but will still be managed by Baylor. Overseeing the project will be an advisory board made up of representatives of each of the involved organizations.
"The primary purpose of the BRIC is to enhance regional applied research capability; provide cutting edge work force training and development; encourage collaboration between higher education, business, industry, governmental entities and communities; and to encourage technology transfer and commercialization of research in order to foster economic development within the region. As such, the BRIC both complements and extends long-standing community visions and economic development goals," said Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Baylor's interim provost.
Davis noted that Baylor does not join the ranks of University of Texas, Texas A&M and Rice, all of which are nationally recognized research universities, because it does not generate the research expenditures to be included.
The Central Texas Research and Technology Park and BRIC will join 170 other research parks scattered across North America.
"University research parks provide a location in which researchers and companies operate in close proximity, creating an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation and promotes the development, transfer, and commercialization of technology," Davis said.
Micah Janzen, a senior mechanical engineering major, is not planning on attending graduate school for engineering but said it's a possibility for the future.
"If I was looking at grad school, that would be a benefit. I would definitely put [the research park] down as a pro," Janzen said.
Funding for the project came from a partnership between the Baylor Board of Regents and the Texas State Legislature, which provided funding to TSTC for "capital expenditures and renovations for collaborative research projects." Each group provided $10 million to make the first phase of this project a reality. Phase I is expected to be completed in 15 to 18 months.
"Over the long term, the combination of research and advanced work force training with a business and technology incubator will provide an economic development engine, producing new business starts expected to create high technology jobs locally," Davis said. "The quality of space provided within the BRIC will also attract research and high -technology companies, which in turn should have a significant future economic impact on the area. Finally, use of the facility for university-industry partnerships has the potential to unite academic and commercial enterprises, providing a fertile environment for new or existing high-tech businesses."
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