As part of an effort to support and promote the Rhode Island marine bioscience industry, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) identified a site for the establishment of a Marine BioScience Research and Business Park, and has hired a design team led by Pare Engineering Corp. to begin detailed planning for the project.
The proposed research and business park would aid established businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs whose work has commercial applications but who have specific infrastructure requirements. That, in turn, will benefit the State of Rhode Island through job growth and the expansion of an innovative, cutting-edge industry. At least, that’s the hope of the RIEDC.
“By moving forward with my vision for the Marine Bioscience Research and Business Park, we are setting the foundation for us to attract new business from throughout the world to locate here and for existing companies in this important field to grow,” stated Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “This marks a significant investment in our scientific infrastructure which will have a lasting legacy on our state for years to come.”
“We are eager [to] support the RIEDC on this project,” said Dr. Jeff Seemann, Dean of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island (URI). “The Marine Bioscience Research and Business Park will potentially allow URI to further our research and development efforts in this area, while providing a world-class, state-of-the-art facility in which our scientists can work in tandem with other leading scientists. This project represents a great potential for our state’s research and development, and biomanufacturing efforts.”
The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $19.5 million. In addition to the research facilities, this initial phase would include a seawater intake system and an effluent discharge and treatment system to ensure that the project and the businesses located there do not adversely affect water quality in the bay.
The RIEDC has identified suitable parcels of land near the proposed research and incubator facility that could be developed in subsequent phases of the project as production facilities for existing businesses looking for a place to grow as well as businesses that have found marketable applications of their research.
Means the article is accessible only to our magazine subscribers.
