Newswise — Congressional leaders are invited to visit research, science and technology parks in August, to see first hand how parks are driving economic growth and creating high-wage jobs.
“As Congress explores ways to create jobs, the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) invites them to visit the research parks that house small businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating jobs in their communities,” said Harold Strong, Jr., AURP President and Director of Discovery Park and Technology Transfer at the University of North Texas.
AURP’s Communities of Innovation Week will be held August 22 – 26, 2011 and will educate lawmakers on the role of research parks in the economic recovery.
“Support for research, science and technology parks is critical,” said Strong. “Research parks are keeping the United States competitive in the global market, creating jobs locally and attracting new companies to their region.”
Recent studies have shown the significant economic impact of research parks.
• The Purdue Research Park Network is responsible for a $1.3 billion annual impact for the State of Indiana and “more than 4,000 high-tech, high-quality jobs paying an average annual salary of $63,000 – 65 percent higher than the Indiana average,” according to a recent economic impact study.
• The 19 businesses located at the North Dakota State University Research & Technology Park account for 893 direct, on-site jobs and another 551 indirect, off-site jobs, according to a recent economic impact study.
• And a study of the University of Nebraska Technology Park indicates a $151.3 million labor income impact spread across 4,320 jobs.
“Research, science and technology parks are economic engines,” said Eileen Walker, AURP Chief Executive Officer. “We welcome Congress to our parks to witness the important role that research parks are playing in the economic recovery.”
AURP’s Communities of Innovation Week will be held August 22 – 26, 2011. For more information about research parks in your area, visit www.aurp.net or contact AURP at 520-529-2521.
About AURP: The Association of University Research Parks is a professional association of university related research and science parks. AURP’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnerships. For more information, visit AURP’s Web site at www.aurp.net or contact Chelsea Simpson at [email protected].
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