Salt Lake City, UT

The University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Campus this week held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new 40,000 square foot high-tech building.

The new facility will be named “The Core — Collaboration. Research. Entrepreneurship,” and is designed to be the first stop for companies looking to locate on the research campus. The project will add much needed wet lab space in Central Kentucky, as well as working space near the interstates for companies and individuals that need to travel quickly to regional facilities.

The Core was made possible through a public-private partnership with the Woodbury Corporation, the company developing the facility. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2022. Watch the event. Read the press release.

In reacting to the 2020 pandemic, the need for lab space is hot as requests for office space is down leaving many to reconsider their masterplan and the value proposition of physical space. The impact of our tangible communities of innovation remains pertinent and essential for economic development growth which requires stakeholder and community engagement. Our inclusive panel of placemaking trailblazers will guide us through discussions on these and other way finding considerations.

PLUS - Put on your running shoes to participate in our Virtual Half-Marathon to fund future student scholarships while grooving to our daily recommended playlists and podcasts.

SPONSORS are encouraged to sign up now for our limited spots at our Daily “7th Inning Stretch” with "podium time" with your peers plus plan on stuffers for our Snack Shack Swag Bags!

Quantum Materials Corp., a nanotechnology company located in Texas State University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research Park, has garnered a $15 million investment from private equity firm, Pasaca Capital, Inc., according to the San Marcos Daily Record.

Under the terms of the investment agreement, Quantum Materials Corp. will develop a functioning product integrating QMC HealthID intellectual property and Innova Medical Group's products. Innova Medical Group Inc. is a major manufacturer of rapid antigen test kits and a leader in COVID-19 testing solutions globally. Read more.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison along with its affiliate organizations and startup companies coming out of the university contribute $30.8 billion annual statewide economic impact, according to a new report.

Conducted by NorthStar Analytics, LLC, the study finds that UW–Madison's overall economic impact is equal to equivalent to nearly 9% of the state's $345 billion economy.

“This study confirms that investments in UW–Madison get translated into research breakthroughs that become startup companies that create jobs, hire university graduates, and buy goods and services from across Wisconsin,” says Aaron Olver, managing director of UW–Madison’s University Research Park. Read more.

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University has announced its sponsorship of the first-ever Florida International Trade Expo, a virtual showcase and matchmaker of leading Florida export products and services, which will take place March 16-March 18. Florida is the first U.S. state to organize such a virtual trade event.

This global online platform will connect the Research Park at FAU’s Global Ventures initiative directly with a targeted worldwide business audience of foreign companies interested in learning more about the opportunity to expand into the seventh largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Read more.

The University of Illinois Research Park (UIRP) has issued a RFP seeking a developer or development team for specific land development projects or specific building proposals within two areas (zones) within the UIRP boundaries.

As part of UIRP's Master Plan, this project is based on plans to drive development of a live-work-play-learn location. RFP responses will be accepted until April 23, 2021. Read more.

The US EDA is accepting applications for its Build to Scale program, a $38 million funding opportunity that fuels tech-based economic development in regional economies.

The FY21 Build to Scale program is comprised of two competitions –– the Venture Challenge and the Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge seeks to support high-growth entrepreneurship, accelerate company growth in the applicant’s region, and scale proven entrepreneurship support models.

Eligibility is open to cities, counties, states, plus nonprofit institutions of higher education, public-private partnerships, research parks, federal labs, venture development organizations, economic development organizations or a consortium of these. The Deadline to apply is April 29, 2021. Read more.

AURP CEO Brian Darmody has a new column published in the Washington Business Journal on "Viewpoint: The D.C. region can be at the quantum computing forefront." Read more. (paywall)

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AURP Community is 'IN ACTION'!

Driving new engagement initiatives, educating municipalities and leaders on safety precautions, and driving innovation in resolve of the Covid-19 pandemic.