Dow AgroSciences will become one of the largest tenants at the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, occupying 15,000 square feet of research and office space in the newly built Herman and Heddy Kurz Purdue Technology Center at 1281 Win Hentschel Blvd.
In addition, Dow AgroSciences will be the exclusive tenant of a 6,000-square-foot greenhouse complex to be constructed on the south side of Ross Enterprise Center at 3495 Kent Ave.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will support the Purdue Research Foundation in the construction of the $2.2 million greenhouse research center with a grant to assist in development costs.
Up to 30 new scientists will be working in the Purdue Research Park as part of this collaboration, with up to an additional 18 contract research workers to be hired from the surrounding community. Researchers from Dow AgroSciences will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty in the Purdue colleges of Agriculture and Science and have access to some campus research facilities.
"The power of collaboration with Purdue is immense, and the many elements of this project will bring great advancement to our biotechnology efforts. We are very grateful to the IEDC for being a foundational player in what is a wise investment for the state of Indiana as it focuses on advancing life sciences," said Antonio Galindez, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. "Purdue Research Park is the perfect setting to unleash the creativity of our scientists and advance science and technology."
The project is an important step in Dow AgroSciences' global technology development plans, and activity at Purdue Research Park will focus on biotechnology innovation and discovery, Galindez said.
"As a land-grant university, Purdue has a long, rich history in agricultural and life sciences research with innovative faculty and strong outreach programs through our Extension offices and other projects," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "The Dow AgroSciences project is a perfect example of how our collaborations with industry and the state can generate new research that will ensure Indiana maintains its leadership in agricultural sciences."
Purdue officials worked closely with state leaders to keep the project in Indiana.
"A primary strategy of the state's economic development effort is to promote the growth and commercialization of key research developments within our state, and this exciting partnership clearly meets that objective," said Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the IEDC. "Bringing together the agriculture and biotechnology strengths of both Dow AgroSciences and Purdue makes perfect sense, and we are happy to support their future success."
Dow AgroSciences will join the more than 160 companies already in the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette.
"We are happy to welcome Dow AgroSciences to the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, which manages the Purdue Research Park. "With its strong credentials and international reputation in the agrosciences area, Dow AgroSciences will add much to the Purdue Research Park network."
Jay Akridge, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, and other agricultural researchers and leaders have worked with the scientists at Dow AgroSciences. He said partnering with Dow AgroSciences creates opportunities for faculty, students and agricultural producers.
"Indiana is one of the nation's leaders in crop production," he said. "The partnership also will create new potential research collaborations between Dow and Purdue scientists and provide students with learning and networking opportunities where they can enrich their education by working with an international company."
West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said that a Dow AgroSciences research facility and greenhouse in West Lafayette will add to the economic development of the city.
"We are delighted that Dow AgroSciences will have a presence in our city," Dennis said. "Their international reputation in the area of agricultural research and science will add even more depth to the economic diversity we are cultivating in West Lafayette."
About IEDC
Created by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit http://www.iedc.in.gov
About Dow AgroSciences LLC
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global annual sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $4.5 billion.
About Purdue Research Park
The 725-acre Purdue Research Park (http://www.purdueresearchpark.com) has the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country. The park is home to more than 160 companies. About 100 of these firms are technology-related and another 39 are incubator businesses. The park is owned and managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, a private, nonprofit foundation created to assist Purdue University in the area of economic development. In addition to the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, the foundation has established technology parks in other locations around Indiana including Indianapolis, Merrillville and New Albany.
Contacts:
Kenda Resler-Friend, Dow AgroSciences LLC, 317-337-4743, KResler@dow.com
Blair West, Indiana Economic Development Corp., 317-232-8873, bwest@iedc.IN.gov
Cynthia Sequin, Purdue Research Foundation, 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org
Sources:
Joseph B. Hornett, 765-588-1039, jbhornett@prf.org
Jay Akridge, 765-494-4327, akridge@purdue.edu
Mitch Roob, 317-232-8873, bwest@iedc.IN.gov
Antonio Galindez, 317-337-4743, kresler@dow.com
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
IMAGE CAPTION:
The 6,000-square-foot greenhouse will be constructed on the south side of the Ross Enterprise Center in the Purdue Research Park. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will support the Purdue Research Foundation in the construction of the $2.2 million greenhouse research center with a grant to assist in development costs. The greenhouse will be used by Dow AgroSciences LLC for early-stage research in developing new technologies that can be used by multiple crops.
A publication-quality image is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2009/ross-enterprise-greenhouse.jpg
Note to Journalists: B-roll of speakers and background of the event will be available at ftp://news69.uns.purdue.edu/Public/DowAgro. Interviews are available following the announcement by contacting Cynthia Sequin, (765) 588-3340, casequin@prf.org. Related photographs are available through the Purdue Research Park (http://www.purdueresearchpark.com) and Purdue University (http://www.purdue.edu) Web sites following the event.
To the News Service home page
| Sources: |
Jay Akridge 494-4327 |
| Writer: |
Cynthia Sequin (765) 588-3340 |
| Related Web sites: | Indiana Economic Development Corp. http://www.in.gov/iedc/ |
| Purdue College of Agriculture http://www.ag.purdue.edu/Pages/default.aspx |
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| Purdue Research Park http://www.purdueresearchpark.com/ |
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| Purdue University http://www.purdue.edu/ |
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