KOKOMO, Ind. - The city of Kokomo has taken a significant step in its efforts to create a high-technology network, receiving certification as the state's 12th Certified Technology Park. Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis today joined Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip and other state and local officials to announce that the Kokomo area has been awarded the status. The designation supports the ongoing effort to encourage the development of high-technology businesses and jobs throughout the area. "The state of Indiana is helping the city of Kokomo attract high-tech operations and businesses to the area," said Davis, who leads the state's economic development efforts as director of the Indiana Department of Commerce. "The City, Purdue University and the business community have built an exceptional partnership, and the Certified Tech Park designation will help Kokomo better compete for business investments and jobs." A result of 2002's tax restructuring legislation, the Certified Technology Park program encourages the location of high-technology businesses within areas identified by local redevelopment commissions. Portions of tax revenues generated by tenants are reinvested into the park and used for improvements, operation and maintenance of facilities, payment of interest and principal on bonds and other business-generating activities. "The Inventrek Technology Park is an important part of our plans to strengthen the vibrant high-tech environment that exists in Kokomo," said Mayor McKillip. "Achieving the status of an Indiana Certified Tech Park shows that our efforts are beginning to pay off and demonstrates that Kokomo is truly a growing and innovative city. I speak for all in thanking the State for recognizing our technology heritage and our high tech future and for helping us to continue the progress at the Technology Park." Purdue University and Inventrek have a mutually beneficial partnership. Purdue opened an onsite Engagement Office in the KTC. Additionally, talks are ongoing with Indiana University-Kokomo for planned integration of services, and Ivy Tech State College in Kokomo holds all of their health services classes on site as an anchor tenant in the KTC. "The economic futures of Kokomo and North Central Indiana have come of age with this certification, following so closely on the heels of the creation of the Inventrek Technology Park," said Michael O'Hair, associate dean of the Purdue University School of Technology. "Purdue is glad to have had a role in nurturing this growth and is eager to continue its support with a full range of services, from quality undergraduate and graduate education, basic and applied research, and expertise in economic development." Any city, town or county with a redevelopment commission is eligible to have an area designated as a Certified Technology Park if certain requirements are met, including: demonstrating the significant support of a research university; a commitment to the commercialization of products; access and utilization of public and private resources in the park; the existence of, or proposed development of, a business incubator; the development of a business plan or the assurance that the park will be used for high technology business activity. In addition, a firm commitment must be shown from at least one business primarily engaged in a high-technology activity creating a significant number of jobs that will locate within the park. In Kokomo's case, Foresite has demonstrated such a commitment. Foresite is a consulting and analytical test laboratory dedicated to solving product reliability issues created when electronic manufacturing process residues and surface contaminants degrade field performance. Foresite has created an extensive database of knowledge and experience in residue characterization methods and uses this information to resolve electronics manufacturing problems. "We feel that we are in the best possible location for growing our business," said Terry Munson, president of Foresite. "The Inventrek Technology Parks new product commercialization services and assistance with acquiring venture capital are exactly what we will need to grow our business." Kokomo employer Delphi Electronics and Safety donated their 98,000-square-foot former administrative building to the Kokomo/Howard County Development Corp. (KHDC) in November of last year. The KHDC has renovated the facility to house the Inventrek Technology Park. The KHDC partnered with Purdue for the guidance, support and assistance of the initial organization of the Inventrek Technology Park. "Four years ago our community pulled together as we dreamed of a high-tech incubator," said Greg Aaron, president of the KHDC. "Finding the funding to create a state-of-the-art incubator was the biggest hurdle. The creation of the Certified Tech Park program gave us hope of finding necessary funds and receiving Delphi's former administrative building was a dream come true." Source: Office of Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis
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