Innovation Campus Receives $2.5 Million to Begin Development on Grand Avenue

Utah State University received a $2.5 million dollar grant from the Economic Development Administration in the United States Department of Commerce to further develop Innovation Campus. The grant gives Innovation Campus the funds to start buildings along the Grand Avenue that will be developed at approximately 1600 North and in between 600 and 800 East in North Logan.

 

“The grant will have a significant economic impact on the future development of the Innovation Campus,” said M. K. Jeppesen, interim vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer and former acting director of Innovation Campus. “Projections for the next 20 years have identified an additional 5,000 to 8,000 jobs with an increase in total building space growing from the current 450,000 square feet to approximately 4,250,000 square feet.”

 

The Economic Development Administration serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. It leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

 

“President Bush and I strongly support the innovative research and development that takes place at our nation’s colleges and universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans. “The Department of Commerce is pleased to partner with Utah State to improve the business climate and standard of living in Cache Valley.”

 

Once funding is in place, Innovation Campus Director Mike Brooks will implement the plan to begin building on the Grand Avenue. The proposal was written by Jeppesen, Utah State’s Innovation Campus Manager Teresa McKnight, Utah State Research Foundation’s proposal and technical writer Jennifer Bowman and Utah State’s former vice president for information technology and chief information officer Barb White.

 

For more information on Utah State’s Innovation Campus visit its Web site or contact McKnight at (435) 797-9606. For more information on the Economic Development Administration is available at its Web site.