These days it seems communities everywhere are touting a new research park here, or a new research park there. But what exactly are research parks? What makes them different from any other business park? Where are the established parks and where are new ones taking shape? And why and when do they make good location sense for a growing business?

The Role of the Research Park

First of all, it's important to understand what exactly a research park is. Most research parks are designed to ignite biotech or other high-tech growth and are located on or near a university campus.

With that said, a research park should fulfill several criteria, according to the Association of University Research Parks. It should have:

* Existing or planned land and buildings designed primarily for private and public research and development facilities, high technology and science-based companies, and support services.

* A contractual and/or formal ownership or operational relationship with one or more universities or other institutions of higher education and science research.

* A role in promoting research and development by the university in partnership with industry, assisting in the growth of new ventures, and promoting economic development.

* A role in aiding the transfer of technology and business skills between the university and industry tenants.

According to the association, these particular parks might alternately be referred to as research, science or technology parks.

Of course research parks in hot areas like Boston, San Diego, Research Triangle and San Francisco are the prize headline-winners, and the ones we currently hear about most.

However as communities realize the economic benefits and scientific importance of university-related research parks, the trend is catching on. Growing businesses will find that there are plenty of research parks out there to consider when it comes to cultivating operations in an environment such as that offered by a research park.

An Atmosphere of Collaboration

There are multitudes of business parks around the world that showcase prime real estate options for companies. But a research park offers more than simply space. Companies located in research parks are enveloped by an atmosphere of collaboration as they strive toward new developments in diagnostics, drug development and other high-tech applications.

"It brings them (companies) into an environment where they are surrounded by other companies with similar interests," said Robert Skunda, president and CEO of the Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park in Richmond, Va. "A company may be able to partner with another tenant, or find a resource that could be helpful to its operations."

The Virginia Bio-Technology Park, conceived in 1992, is affiliated with the Virginia Commonwealth University and is home to companies, research institutes, nonprofits and government laboratories.

Skunda says companies located in the park have a variety of resources and amenities at their fingertips, such as having access to University-owned expensive and highly specialized equipment. However, advantages come in forms other than physical equipment and lab space.

Generally speaking, scientists are first and foremost exactly that: scientists. In other words, when it comes time to turn an idea into a company, expert business advice could have an important impact on the future health of a young, impressionable company.

A business park, such as the Virginia Bio-Technology Park, often offers assistance in the form of mentoring, consultation and other support services.

Additionally, a location in a research park speaks to the seriousness of a start-up company's mission and can be instrumental in attracting attention from venture capital firms.

"I think they are taken more seriously when they are located in a research park," said Skunda. "They look more professional. And they can draw on park management and the business accelerator and support center in developing business strategies and identifying potential investors."

Skunda noted that when a company is evaluating a research park as a viable location, flexibility should be a key consideration. He said to be sure and ask 'what is the park's ability to grow with my company?'

"For example, we can start a company out in early stage space and continue to move them to larger blocks of space, and eventually into their own building," said Skunda.

A company should also inquire about incentives. As one example, the Virginia Bio-Technology Park is located in an enterprise zone, and qualifying companies located there are eligible for certain tax credits.

Proximity to Key Markets and Industry Players

For some companies, having

a presence in a specific research park may translate into market advantages.Such was the case for medical reminder-maker ALR Technologies.

To accommodate its growth needs, the company announced in December that it would relocate its West Coast headquarters to the Piedmont Triad Research Park in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"The move to Winston-Salem will provide the company with closer proximity to key customer targets and health care industry opinion leaders," said Stan Cruitt, president and CEO of ALR Tech. "We also see synergistic growth opportunities with the proven leadership and research capabilities of Wake Forest School of Medicine and with the area's technology-related medical companies that have established operations bases in the area."

Novozymes A/S joined an impressive list of biotech companies when it expanded operations into Virginia's Roanoke Valley.

Through its purchase of Sybron Biochemicals, the company will become the first tenant in a new 457-acre research park dubbed Roanoke County's Center for Research and Technology.

The park is designed for technology, biotechnology and high-tech manufacturing companies and is in proximity to the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech, as well as the Riverside Centre for Research and Technology currently under development.

Novozyme's 20,000 square foot facility and lab is expected to open this fall.

Research Parks in the Making

All over the world, new research parks are being unveiled. However, research park infrastructure does not necessarily equal the true essence of a research park.

Successful research parks don't happen overnight. It takes years to complete buildings, attract tenants, and establish an integrated high-tech or scientific community.

Even though it celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2000, San Antonio's Texas Research Park is still on the upswing and growing. Most notably, the park has recently become the research campus for the University of Texas Institute of Biotechnology.

Other locations to watch include the BioHouston Park in Houston, Texas, and the Cool Springs Life Sciences Center in Franklin, Tenn.

And in the Welsh city of Cardiff, the Wales Gene Park is fostering an environment where genetic technology and stem cell research will lead to new medical advancements.

The Riverside region in Southern California is home to a 39-acre University Research Park representing a partnership between the County of Riverside and the University of California to house tech industry businesses.

Already, all lots there but one have been sold for development. Digital Angel and Encore Pharma are just two of the firms that have set their sights on the park.

There is not enough space here to do justice to all the up-and-coming research parks.

It is safe to say that research parks will continue to be integral to the operations of biotechnology and high-tech companies that are seeking an environment that offers business support, opportunities for industry collaboration and space conducive to research and development activities.

Rachael Hedgcoth is Senior Editor of Expansion Management magazine and can be reached at rhedgcoth@penton.com.