June 6, 2011

TECHNOLOGY PARK AT UCONN GETS LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL
Will Create Jobs For Eastern Connecticut Residents

State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield, Chaplin), Vice-chair of the Legislature’s Commerce Committee, and Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) said legislation approved by the General Assembly provides funding for a world-class research and technology park at the University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs. The $170 million project is expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in federal and private funding.

Rep. Gregory Haddad of Mansfield announces plans for a research and technology park at UConn.

“The long talked about research park at UConn is now set to become a reality,” said Rep. Haddad. “This bill provides resources required to build an Innovation Partnership Building to anchor the effort. On top of the important mission of encouraging collaborative efforts between the university and hi-tech businesses, there will be the potential for hundreds of new jobs for eastern Connecticut residents. Concerns over Mansfield’s long-term water needs may also be met with resources that will allow for the development of safe new water sources.”

The landmark project, first discussed in Connecticut more than 20 years ago, calls for construction of a 125,000 square-foot multi-story building comprised primarily of large, flexible-use laboratories containing specialized equipment, not readily available to industry, for collaborative industry-university research. The building will also provide high tech “clean rooms” and a bio-nanofabrication facility, business incubators, private space for use by individual companies, and office space.

“This is the job-generating plan that Eastern Connecticut has been waiting for,” said Senator Williams. “This research and technology park will create thousands of high-quality jobs and ensure that Eastern Connecticut is an integral part of Connecticut’s emerging research triangle—spanning Farmington, New Haven, and Storrs. We couldn’t move this project forward without the support of the Malloy Administration and local community leaders—all of whom understand the incredible potential for Connecticut’s families and businesses.

The UConn tech-park will eventually include multiple buildings—many of which could be privately funded—that will house large, flexible-use laboratories containing specialized equipment for collaborative research. The complex, to be located in the North Campus and completed within four years, will provide space for business incubators and individual companies.

Completion of the North Campus Road will allow the development of up to 1.4 million square feet of research, technology and academic space, consistent with the University’s long-range Master Plan. The roadway project is to be funded primarily by federal and UConn 2000 resources and will include a 4,000 linear foot-long, two-lane road that will need to accommodate all utilities underground. Also connected to the project is the new ‘Innovation Partners Eminent Faculty Program,’ which seeks to attract some the nation’s top scholars and scientists and to leverage millions of dollars in federal and private investment.