Recent Progress in the Research District

1
Tri-Cities Research District - Whats Next,
Starts Here
Diahann Howard, Tri-Cities Research District,
Executive Director 509-375-3060 tricitiesrese
archdistrict.org
2
Tri-Cities Research District

• Washington Statedesignated Innovation
  Partnership Zone
• Formerly Tri-Cities Science Technology Park
  (1990)
• New Focus on recruiting and real estate with new
  board
• An Innovation Ecosystem

3
Washington State Innovation Partnership Zone

• Boundaries coincident with the Research District
  boundaries
• Recognition of the strong technology base of our
  community
• Valuable endorsement and marketing tool
• 2008 received 275,000 from the State to support
  our zone
• Seeking a stronger tie to overall State strategy

4
Tri-Cities Research DistrictConsultant
Recommendations

• 75 recommendations in total
• Asset for all of Tri-Cities, not just Richland
• Targets clean energy, biosciences, environmental
  technologies, computation/software
• Annual work plan developed focused on 4 goals, 12
  strategies, 49 activities

5
Recent Progress in the Research District
6
Progress continued

• Birgette Ahring, hired as STAR researcher for
  BSEL
• 15 acres north of WSU TC along river leveled for
  office development
• Property leased from Port for two office
  buildings Removal of old foundations and renaming
  of Ports RIC
• 1m appropriated for Ports Biomass gasification
  project by Senator Murray
• MOU signed with TRIDEC for coordinated marketing
  effort.

7
Recent Activities

• Survey conducted
• Launch of new website
• Battelle contribution of 100,000 to support key
  initiatives
• Lockheed Martin to assist with branding and logo
  development
• Discussion with local utilities and leadership

www.tricitiesresearchdistrict.org
8
Whats Next?

• Complete actions within annual work plan
• Entry signage and way finding system
• First Street reconstruction
• Full development of branding and marketing
  program
• Forums, webinars and e newsletter
• Seeking collaborative partnerships with private
  sector
• Seeking technologies that can be displayed and
  deployed

9
Questions???

• For more information
• www.tricitiesresearchdistrict.org