The Forum - 08/19/2003
NDSU research park expanding
By Mike Nowatzki
mnowatzki@forumcomm.com
The state Board of Higher Education on Monday cleared the landing pad
for Alien Technology Corp.'s touchdown in Fargo.
Meeting via conference call, board members voted unanimously to allow
North Dakota State University to lease an additional 14.89 acres of land
to the NDSU Research and Technology Park.
The land, across 18th Street North from the research and technology
park, will accommodate Alien's plans to build a 120,000-square-foot
manufacturing plant.
California-based Alien is a leading producer of so-called "smart tags,"
electronic bar code-type devices that experts say will revolutionize the
supply chain industry.
The university requested action at Monday's special board meeting so
Alien can begin its building plans. The manufacturing plant is scheduled
to go online in 2005 and will bring approximately 300 jobs to Fargo by
2006, NDSU said.
"It appears to be that they're moving in the direction we as a board
have indicated we'd like to go, and I think it's something where we
probably don't want to stand in the way of progress," board President
Richard Kunkel said.
The NDSU research park has filled up quickly since it was created with
legislative and board approval Dec. 30, 1999.
The original 40 acres are home to three buildings: the park's
cornerstone tenant, Phoenix International; NDSU's Research 1 building;
and the 75,000-square-foot Research 2 building, which is under
construction and will house the Center for Nanoscale Science and
Engineering.
NDSU will lease the additional 14.89 acres of land to the nonprofit
corporation that operates the park for $1 a year for 75 years. The land
has been used for crop and seed research for more than 40 years.
Construction on the Alien plant is expected to begin this fall, and
"that's the whole purpose of moving fast," said Dick Rayl, NDSU vice
president for business and finance.
The first phase of the project calls for a 40,000-square-foot building,
while the second phase would add 80,000 square feet.
NDSU says developing the land will enhance North Dakota's economic base,
create partnerships with businesses, spawn new businesses and make use
of a pool of graduates, faculty members and professional and technical
workers.
The state has committed roughly $36 million to the project through
low-interest loans, state and federal job training programs and private
sector funds.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
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