| VIDEO |
 * Purdue Research Foundation opens research park at Ameriplex Indianapolis. (3 minutes, 24 seconds) |
January 21, 2009
Purdue, state, local officials announce first company, dedicate research park by new Indianapolis airport
INDIANAPOLIS - |
"We chose to locate the research park in Indianapolis because it is in the center of our statewide technology highway," Purdue President France A. Córdova said. "From northwest in Merrillville, to southeast in New Albany, our research parks continue to advance the state as a hub for innovation and discovery. This location near the new airport will provide additional incentive for national and international companies to choose Indiana as the place to do business."
Córdova told the nearly 300 people attending the dedication that high-tech telecommunications company FlamencoNets Inc. will be the first business housed in the new research park.
FlamencoNets had previously be an affiliate company at the Purdue Research Park at West Lafayette, Ind. An affiliate company is one that is a member of the research park but is not physically based there.
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"I joined the Purdue Research Park last year but I wanted to keep my company in the Indianapolis area, so I've been waiting for the new research park to open so I could move in," said Raul Flamenco, founder and president of FlamencoNets. "I appreciate the amenities I've received like entrepreneurial conferences and marketing assistance that I've had from being affiliated with the Purdue Research Park, and I look forward to having office space in the new facility."
The new $12.8 million technology center in the Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex-Indianapolis will accommodate up to 75 businesses and create 1,500 jobs with an average annual salary of $54,000. Most of the new jobs will be in the life sciences and high-tech areas.
The new facility is located at 5225 Exploration Drive along the I-70 corridor and near the midfield terminal of the Indianapolis International Airport. The 78-acre site was purchased by the Purdue Research Foundation and Holladay Properties, a South Bend-based national real estate development company. The Purdue Research Park at Ameriplex-Indianapolis is the centerpiece of the latest 400-acre phase of AmeriPlex-Indianapolis, a nearly 1,500-acre development.
The city of Indianapolis provided a $5 million grant to support the development.
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"Collaborative measures like the partnership with Purdue Research Park and Holladay Properties are key in cultivating economic development within our community and keeping Indianapolis competitive in the business world," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "This facility and the expected growth of the area in the wake of the opening of the new Indianapolis International Airport will set the stage for Indianapolis’ future growth."
The Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex-Indianapolis will include:
* A 100,000- to 150,000-square-foot industrial flex building.
* A 50,000- to 70,000-square-foot multistory office building.
* The potential for four additional buildings for companies to accelerate business opportunities.
* A 300-bed, six-story hotel with a 30,000-square-foot conference center.
* Three sites for restaurants or retail shops.
The university's other established parks are the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Purdue Research Park in Merrillville and the Purdue Research Park in New Albany.
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"The Purdue Research Parks are situated along I-65 from northwest Indiana to southeast Indiana," said Joseph B. Hornett, Purdue Research Foundation senior vice president, treasurer and COO. "We anticipate the same level of success at the Indianapolis park as we have experienced at our other parks in the state. Combined, the parks support nearly 200 companies and provide jobs for more than 3,200 people."
Purdue previously partnered with Holladay Properties to develop the Merrillville-based Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.
"This is the second major partnership we have had with the Purdue Research Foundation," said Doug Hunt, senior vice president of development for Holladay Properties. "With the additional plans to further develop the area with more business offices, restaurants and retail space, we know that this endeavor will not only strengthen our partnership with Purdue but also will support the economic development of the city and state."
In addition to assisting with the Indianapolis site, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has worked with Purdue on its other technology parks around the state.
"Indiana has a strong commitment to economic development," said Mitch Roob, chief executive officer for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. "We support the Purdue Research Parks and similar endeavors through the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund and Certified Technology Parks program. Both help attract high-tech businesses to Indiana."
To the Purdue Research Park, https://www.purdueresearchpark.com
Note to journalists: Hornett is pronounced "HORN-it." For additional information, contact Cynthia Sequin at (765) 494-4192, (765) 413-6031, casequin@prf.org
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue President France A. Córdova speaks Wednesday (Jan. 21) during the dedication of the Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex-Indianapolis. Behind Córdova, from left, are Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard; Douglas A. Hunt, senior vice president for development of Holiday Properties; Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement; and Mitch Roob, CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The technology center is one of four Purdue Research Park centers around the state that serve as incubators for startup or expanding companies. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/prp-indy-cordova.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
The Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex-Indianapolis technology center, is located at 5225 Exploration Drive, near the Indianapolis International Airport. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/prp-indy-building.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, from left; Douglas A. Hunt, senior vice president for development of Holiday Properties; Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement; Mitch Roob, CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; and Purdue President France A. Córdova take part in Wednesday's (Jan. 21) dedication of the Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex-Indianapolis. The technology center is one of four Purdue Research Park centers around the state that serve as incubators for startup or expanding companies. (Purdue News Service photo/Andrew Hancock)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2009/prp-indy.jpg
Writer: Cynthia Sequin, (765) 494-4192, (765) 413-6031 (mobile), casequin@prf.org
Sources: Joseph B. Hornett, (765) 494-8645, jbhornett@purdue.edu
Raul Flamenco, (317) 213-8099, raul@flamenconets.com
Mitch Roob, (317) 232-8873, mfrazier@iedc.IN.gov
Doug Hunt, (574) 217-4485, dhunt@holladayproperties.com