FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lawrence, KS, October 1, 2009 - The Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority (LDCBA), a local economic development organization whose mission is to help stimulate the development of a local life sciences industry and support technology-based companies, will break ground on the $7.25 million Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) on the west campus of the University of Kansas October 5th at 11am.
The new facility will provide opportunities for KU technologies and innovations to be commercialized on the same campus where they are discovered instead of being exported out of the community, resulting in the creation of local jobs and expansion of the local tax base. The facility will also house other non-university emerging bioscience and technology companies as well as collaborations between KU researchers and large bioscience firms.
The BTBC represents an essential resource to help Lawrence and Douglas County become a center of bioscience and technology business activity, and is the result of four years of planning by economic development and community leaders. Funding for the facility is provided by the Kansas Bioscience Authority, City of Lawrence, Douglas County, the University of Kansas and KU Endowment, and the LDCBA itself. According to LDCBA President LaVerne Epp, “Our organization's goal is to attract new business to the area while helping new and existing companies in our community grow and prosper.” LDCBA is able to accomplish this goal in part due to a unique relationship with LRTC.
In addition to managing the facility’s 20,000 square feet of office, dry lab, and wet lab space, LRTC will provide tenants professional business development services and access to capital. LRTC has worked with numerous technology companies including KC BioMediX, a medical device startup business that spun out from KU. CEO Mike Litscher states, “Each startup is different, and each startup team is going to have different capabilities and skills. LRTC supplements your business strengths with resources and additional business services you may not have.” Robert Herrington, CEO of technology company Horizon Analog cites, “The new BTBC will become a major hub for new and established technology companies. More businesses will be attracted to the area and, as a result, Lawrence will experience an increase in employment and boost to the local tax base. This all positively benefit the economy of Lawrence and the state of Kansas. For more information on the Bioscience and Technology Business Center visit www.btbcku.com or www.LDCBA.org or call 785.832.2110.
CONTACT
Mathew McClorey, President
Lawrence Regional Technology Center
785.832.2110
Matt@LRTC.biz
www.lrtc.biz