Purdue encouraged by economic development results

Hard work and a strategic focus are paying off for Indianapolis. The city well deserves its recent ranking as the 19th of the top 40 locations for biotechnology in the United States. Our capital – as well as several other cities in the state – are rapidly building reputations as centers for life sciences excellence.

This success is an example of what can happen when we set a clear strategic goal and work together to accomplish the goal. At Purdue, we've also set our goals to support the state. The result: A recent national report named Purdue as one of the elite 12 universities in the country for economic development, based on about 10 major factors ranging from our vision to our partnerships.

Our partnerships have been wide-ranging. For example we've:

• Proposed the creation of an advanced manufacturing institute, a place that will help this bedrock of Indiana's economy keep pace with technology.

• Signed a memorandum of understanding with the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center to develop new research and training programs.

• Worked with the Indianapolis Public Schools system to help disadvantaged students succeed through a program called Science Bound. Strong K-12 schools attract the work force needed to support high-tech companies

• Sponsored the Indiana High School Principals Association's academic contests around the state. Last year, 30,000 students statewide took part in science olympiads, math super bowls and spelling bees as part of this program.

• Helped create technology centers around the state – Merrillville, Hammond, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, Shelbyville, Columbus, Anderson and Indianapolis, with more on the way. And Indiana now has a special tax structure to help nurture these centers.

• Developed the biggest and best business incubation program in the country at the Purdue Research Park, according to University Business.

• Patented 221 Purdue discoveries in the five years ending in 2002.

• Helped 1,300 companies in the past five years through the Technical Assistance Program, which helps Indiana companies solve problems. That not only saved jobs, it expanded the work force and increased sales by an incredible $300 million.

• Stemmed the tide of Indiana's brain drain. Almost 84 percent of the Hoosiers who graduated from Purdue with bachelor's degrees in 2002 are still in Indiana.

Strategic thinking breeds success. It is working for Purdue, Indianapolis and Indiana. And we've only just begun!