April 26, 2013

GOV. MALLOY: UCONN TECH PARK FOSTERS INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN BUSINESS SECTOR AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the release of $20 million in bond funding to purchase instrumentation, advanced manufacturing systems, and high performance computing infrastructure for the new UConn Technology Park in Storrs.

"For much of the 20th century, we led the world when it came to innovation-and with collaborations like the UConn Technology Park, we can again," said Governor Malloy. "Strengthening the connection between the business sector and UConn will help us make Connecticut competitive again. Not only are we creating a high-tech facility that will be a tremendous resource to manufacturers and other private-sector industries, but we are building on our investment in Next Generation Connecticut and providing experiential training for students."

Expected to open in 2015, the UConn Tech Park is a partnership between the state's flagship university and Pratt & Whitney, Cigna, Northeast Utilities, and General Electric. Legislation establishing the Tech Park was passed in 2011 and includes $40 million in bond funding for equipment and to cost-share for federal research grants such as the National Science Foundation Science and Technology Centers, National Institute of Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Centers, Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Scientific Awards programs. The balance of the funds will be requested in the coming year to establish new partnerships with industries in systems integration, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and electronics sectors.

"The UConn Technology Park will be unique among its counterparts-which is why we must plan now to get this equipment and technology installed," said UConn President Susan Herbst. "This is a true collaboration between UConn and Connecticut's business community. Industry will have access to advanced manufacturing capabilities, bolster competitiveness, and take advantage of the strong science, math, technology and engineering training offered at UConn-and our students and faculty will have the opportunity to take a more active role in real-world projects."

The 125,000 square foot multi-story facility will encourage collaborative research and house a business incubator, offices, and meeting space. It also includes the Innovation Partnership Building, which will offer highly specialized equipment and shared laboratory space for UConn researchers, industry scientists, and the business community.

"In order to grow Connecticut's economy we need to make smart, strategic investments in sectors where Connecticut can be a leader," said Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn). "The UConn Tech Park is an investment in Connecticut's economic future and will result in more private-sector jobs for Northeastern Connecticut, increased business activity, and greater opportunities for students and faculty."

"This investment in UConn truly shows the commitment by the State of Connecticut in advancing our state's technology infrastructure," said State Representative Greg Haddad (D-Mansfield). "The town of Mansfield and the State of Connecticut will reap the benefits of the research and collaboration done at this facility."

To date, resources and commitments for the UConn Tech Park have been made by Pratt and Whitney, General Electric, Northeast Utilities Center for Predictive Analysis and Storm Hardening, and the Center for Hardware Assurance & Security Engineering. These gifts and commitments represent more than $24 million in private funding.

The State Bond Commission voted to release the funding today.

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For Immediate Release: April 26, 2013

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy