Arizona MEP: Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 22, 2004

For more information please contact:
Molly Gilbert
Director of Tenant and Public Relations
Tel: 520-626-1269
mgilbert@email.arizona.edu

UA Science and Tech Park Announces Newest Tenants

Tucson, AZ - The Technology Development & Research Institute (TDRI), Southern Arizona Industry & Aerospace Alliance (SAIAA) and Arizona Manufacturing Extension Program (AZMEP) are the newest tenants at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park.

A press briefing and reception welcoming all three organizations will be held Friday, February 13, 2004 at 2 pm in the Presentation Room of Building 9040 at the UA Science and Technology Park.

“There were several reasons that factored into our decision to relocate,” states Sally Fernandez, president of TDRI, SAIAA and Board Member, AZMEP. “Foremost was the Park’s role as the nucleus of hi-tech development in Southern Arizona. Also appealing was the synergy of the University, which we can easily access as a tenant of the Park.”

“Another important factor in our decision,” continues Fernandez, “was the co-location of the Southern Arizona Industry and Aerospace Alliance with the UA Office of Economic Development. It was important for us to leverage the resources of the office as well as its expertise in cluster development and its access to hi-tech markets and manufacturing in Mexico.”

“These new tenants add a new dimension to our efforts to assist in the development of high technology companies in Southern Arizona,” comments Bruce Wright, University of Arizona associate vice president for economic development. “The co-location of TDRI and AzMEP with the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) creates a powerful toolbox of business development assistance for companies moving from start-up through product development to manufacturing and marketing.”

“Another powerful collaboration opportunity exists with the CyberPort Project and the Technology Development and Research Institute,” states Congressman Kolbe. “The CyberPort study was released this past June. Among its key components is the emphasis of the use of new technology to be employed at ports of entry along the border. TDIR focuses on these types of technologies that protect our borders while permitting the flow of trade and commerce.”

The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park is home to 30 companies and organizations. A premiere facility, the Park is home to 3 fortune 500 companies as well as several growing high tech companies like Sion Power and NP Photonics. The park has almost 2 million square feet of developed space located on 1,345 acres of land. In 2001, the Park was named Research Park of the Year, by the Association of University Research Parks.

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