Partnerships to Reinvent the Partnerships to Reinvent the Tri-Cities Research DistrictTri-Cities Research District

Partnerships to Reinvent the Partnerships to Reinvent the Tri-Cities Research DistrictTri-Cities Research District

Gary E. Spanner

Manager, Economic Development Office

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

(509) 372-4296

gary.spanner@pnl.gov

www.pnl.gov/edo

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The ProblemThe ProblemThe ProblemThe Problem

Certain to lose 8,000 jobs in foreseeable futureHanford jobs account for 30% of employment and 40% of wages in the Tri-Cities MSANeed to replace high-wage jobs (#7 nationally in % of scientists & engineers)

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Tri-Cities Research DistrictTri-Cities Research DistrictTri-Cities Research DistrictTri-Cities Research District

Anchored at ends by WSU-TC and national labSituated on free-flowing stretch of Columbia River in southeastern Washington StateNew focus on recruiting and marketing real estate with new boardNew city zoning: business & research park (mixed use allowed)Now 1,600 acres…down from 4,200 acres Residences now in the Tri-Cities Research District

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Tri-Cities Research District (Cont.)Tri-Cities Research District (Cont.)Tri-Cities Research District (Cont.)Tri-Cities Research District (Cont.)

Formerly Tri-Cities Science & Technology Park (1990)Washington State–designated Innovation Partnership ZonePrivate developer recently purchased ~150 acres and buildings (~$150M)Master plan underway for 330 acres of private & public landSustainability theme likely for the Tri-Cities Research District

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Bring in a Marketing-oriented Bring in a Marketing-oriented ConsultantConsultant

Bring in a Marketing-oriented Bring in a Marketing-oriented ConsultantConsultant

~75 recommendations totalFocus on a smaller areaAsset for all of Tri-Cities, not just RichlandNational laboratory is the key assetEstablish a marketing plan Specific sector/industry targets identified

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Catalog your Pertinent AssetsCatalog your Pertinent AssetsCatalog your Pertinent AssetsCatalog your Pertinent Assets

Create database of support organizationsIdentify sources of intellectual capitalIdentify which governments, at all levels, are affectedIdentify likely public & private funding sourcesLed to state designation as an Innovation Partnership Zone

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Establish Collaborations to Establish Collaborations to Boost the Boost the “Entrepreneurial Infrastructure”“Entrepreneurial Infrastructure”

Establish Collaborations to Establish Collaborations to Boost the Boost the “Entrepreneurial Infrastructure”“Entrepreneurial Infrastructure”

Formed local angel investor groupTechnologies from national laboratory made available to MBA teamsAppointed an adjunct professor for technology entrepreneurshipActively engaged two tech-based economic development state agenciesEstablished the Applied Process Engineering Laboratory (incubator with seven collaborators)

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Other Lessons LearnedOther Lessons LearnedOther Lessons LearnedOther Lessons Learned

Sharing costs among several governments and private sector partners is essential because none can shoulder it aloneConvincing cities to spend $$ outside their boundaries is difficult…but necessaryPresentations to city councils & economic development boards are useful for buy-in

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Final WordsFinal WordsFinal WordsFinal Words

Your community could do thisCollaboration among private and public sector organizations is essentialBundle existing assets (e.g., university, national lab, military base)Attract the right brains and the right businesses will emergeSustainable development is a given

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Questions?Questions?Questions?Questions?