Development News From Southwest Indiana

Southern Indiana Region Receives Certified Technology Park Status

InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report, 12/15/2005 12:24:57 PM
The state has awarded Certified Technology Park status for an area in Daviess, Martin and Greene Counties, which includes The West Gate @ Crane Technology Park.

The area surrounds the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will support up to $1 million in new grants to encourage the creation of high-tech jobs at the park. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and EG&G have already made commitments to lease new buildings in the tech park.
Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (December 15, 2005)—Setting the stage for achievement of a long-anticipated vision of growth, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Secretary of Commerce Patricia R. Miller today announced the expansion of the certified technology park region surrounding the $2 billion Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Crane.

“NSWC Crane is already the second largest employer in southern Indiana, and this park offers a viable commercial platform for the Fortune 500 technology companies already working on Crane contracts,” said Lt. Gov. Skillman.

The West Gate at Crane Technology Park will include territory from Daviess, Greene and Martin counties and will be the state’s first multi-county Certified Technology Park. The Indiana Certified Technology Park program is designed to encourage the development of high-growth, high-wage business opportunities and facilitate technology transfer between the corporate and academic sectors.

“Creating jobs for Hoosiers will remain a top priority as we continue our economic comeback,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “Though we have had significant success in the past year, there is still much to be done. We hope to make many more announcements like this in the coming months.”

The Governor and administration officials played a significant role in saving the 100-square-mile military technology center from closure under the Pentagon’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process earlier this year.

“We view the West Gate park as an opportunity to enhance our mission of supporting the warfighter,” said Captain Mark Welsh, Commanding Officer of NSWC Crane. “This is a win-win for both the military and for the state of Indiana.”

Daviess County previously received certified technology park status through the state program, which is administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The West Gate Park will be governed by an interlocal agreement for park administration and growth.

“The West Gate at Crane Technology Park creates a unique opportunity to not only leverage the existing high-technology work already being done at Crane, but also to serve as a catalyst for future growth within the region,” said Secretary Miller.

In addition to designating the West Gate Park as a Certified Technology Park, the IEDC will support up to $1 million in new grant funding to encourage technology job creation. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and EG&G (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the $2 billion URS corporation) have already made commitments to lease more than 40,000 sq. ft of new buildings in the tech park. Both SAIC, the nation’s seventh largest defense contractor, and EG&G are key contract vendors for NSWC Crane. Major universities including Purdue, Rose Hulman and the University of Indianapolis have committed to support the mission of the park.

The presence and development of the West Gate Park is also expected to help safeguard NSWC Crane from future BRAC closure potential and heighten the military base’s commercial value to Indiana companies and businesses, according to Mike Gentile, executive director of Crane Technology Inc.

About the IEDC
As a result of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in Feb. 2005, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) replaced the Department of Commerce as the premier entity charged with state economic development. The IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Gov. Mitch Daniels. For more information about IEDC and the state’s certified technology park program, please visit www.iedc.IN.gov.

About The West Gate @ Crane
Expected to eventually become a 1,000 acre technology region, the West Gate @ Crane is being developed by county and economic development commissions from Daviess, Martin and Greene counties. The state-of-the-art facilities now in development are expected to serve major commercial technology companies associated with the $2 billion NSWC Crane military technical center. Facilities are also being designed for academic and training operations, with expected involvement from the University of Indianapolis, Purdue University, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and other Indiana institutions of higher learning. For more information, please visit www.westgatecrane.com. Development inquiries can be directed to Ron Arnold, 812-254-1500 or by e-mail: rarnold@dcedc.net.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.