HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/2/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (18) Date: May 2, 2001
To: City Council
From: George Wyatt
Director of Economic Development
ESTABLISHMENT OF A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Council adopt a Resolution in support of the University of California,
Riverside (UCR), major initiative to establish a Technology Transfer Center at the
University Research Park.
SUMMARY:
The City of Palm Springs is being asked to support the establishment of a
Technology Transfer Center, housed at the University Research Park, located in
Riverside County near the border of San Bernardino County, to support the
development of growing high-tech companies in the Inland Empire region.
BACKGROUND:
The University of California, Riverside is working on a major initiative in Washington
D.C.to secure$3 million in funding to establish a Technology Transfer Center at the
University Research Park, The Technology Transfer Center/Incubator will support
the development of growing high-tech companies and is vital in working to transform
the economic base of the Inland Empire, including the Palm Springs and Coachella
Valley region, to attract high-tech companies and higher paying employment
opportunities.
George V Wyatt, Ph. .
Director of Economi evelopment
APPROVED:_
City Manager l
Attachments:
1. Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 20039
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA,RIVERSIDE MAJOR INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH
A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH PARK
WHEREAS, the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and the Pomona Valley (Inland
Empire) are among the fastest growing regions in the state and country; and
WHEREAS, employment growth in the Inland Empire technology sector is not keeping pace
with the rest of Southern California; and
WHEREAS, an estimated thirty percent(30%)of the residential labor force within Riverside
and San Bernardino Counties commute outside their county of residence for employment,
with much of that community traveling to San Diego and Orange Counties for technology
related positions; and
WHEREAS, the University of California, Riverside (UCR), Loma Linda University (LLU),
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and twenty-two other colleges and
universities are located within the Inland Empire and grant approximately 20,000 degrees
per year, of which approximately 3,000 are in technology related areas; and
WHEREAS, a 1988 survey by the University of California identified 376 biotech companies
in California with more than 10% of them being founded by UC Riverside scientists, have
UC Riverside scientific advisors, employ UC Riverside Alumni, or are sponsoring research
at UCR, but nearly all of the companies existing outside the Inland Empire; and
WHEREAS, UCR and LLU faculty, students, and staff(as well as from the other 23 higher
education institutions) are creating new biotech and other technology related companies
and need access to incubator-type facilities and support services within the Inland Empire;
and
WHEREAS, the City and County of Riverside, and UCR have established the University
Research Park within the County of Riverside near the border of San Bernardino County
with the intent of establishing a cluster of new and existing technology-based companies
thus stimulating the opportunities for the Inland Empire to expand the technology-related
employment opportunities within the entire Inland Empire region; and
WHEREAS, the City of Riverside contributed over $2 million to extend roads and
municipal/utility services to the University Research Park, and its Public Utility built a 48-
strand fiber optic network to serve the companies within the Park; and
WHEREAS, the county of Riverside contributed over$3 million to acquire and develop the
39 acres known as the University Research Park; and
WHEREAS, the City and County of Riverside, and UCR have committed to building a
40,000 sq.ft. technology business incubator facility, the Inland Empire Technology Transfer
Center, which will include turnkey biotech, electronics, and office space and business
support programs for start-up technology companies; and
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Resolution
Page 2
WHEREAS, UCR owns approximately 4 acres within the Park and has committed $1 million
to the cost of developing the Inland Empire Technology Transfer Center; and
WHEREAS, $6 million of additional funding for the Inland Empire Technology Transfer
Center is still necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California, that the Federal and State funding requests enabling the Inland Empire
Technology Transfer Center to be built, enabling the region to benefit from the creation and
support of start-up technology-based companies, and thus benefitting from the increased
higher wage employment opportunities, and local technology-based employment expected
to spread throughout the Inland Empire from the Technology Transfer Center and the
University Research Park, are hereby supported.
ADOPTED this 2od day of May, 2001
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By:
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED AS TO FORM