The Fishers Research and Technology Campus facility will be specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of new biotechnology companies, with wet laboratories, flexible tenant spaces suitable for research and development, and production facilities. In addition, the facility will provide shared conference space and a network of professional consultants, such as attorneys and accountants, who can mentor early-stage entrepreneurs.
The Fishers EDC anticipates many of the new biotech companies that will occupy the Fishers Research and Technology Campus building are going to be start-ups based on research and discoveries from Indiana universities and research institutes. To that end, Fishers hired Mark Long, former President of Indiana University’s Research & Technology Corporation, to assist them.
Christi Wolf, President of the Fishers Economic and Community Development Commission (EDC), said, “With 25 years of diverse experience in the biomedical/biotechnology industries and academia, Mark Long truly understands the economic landscape and the needs of those who fuel the life science industry. His experience and understanding of the State of Indiana’s life science focus will be an asset to our efforts and to Fishers.”
Heading up the development of the new Research and Technology Campus is Mark Long, President of business consultancy Long Performance Advisors. Long led Indiana University’s Research and Technology Corporation from 2002 until early this year and built the IU Emerging Technologies Center (IUETC), the university’s showcase business incubator. He continues to teach entrepreneurship and life sciences courses at IU’s Kelley School of Business.
Under Mark Long’s leadership, the IUETC attracted 26 high-tech startups, resulting in 90 percent occupancy within two years of opening. Seven of those startups “graduated” within four years, when they were large enough to stand on their own. Now, Long is attempting to duplicate that success in Fishers by focusing on growing the base of life science companies.
Long stated, “Fishers has unlimited potential for the development of their Research and Technology Campus. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Fishers to enhance the life sciences economy of Indiana.” Long believes that new start-ups attracted to the technology park will come from both Indiana universities as well as companies outside of Indiana.
“This is exactly the type of economic and job growth that fits our community,” said Scott Faultless, Fishers Town Council President. “The research campus will provide the area with high quality jobs that will ultimately, help enhance and impact the lives of not only Fishers residents, but Hoosiers everywhere.”
Businesses interested in learning more about leasing and location opportunities with the Fishers Research and Technology Campus should contact Mark Long at 317-578-0700 or email at mlong@FishersEDC.com.
The Fishers Economic and Community Development Commission is a partnership between the Town of Fishers and the Fishers Chamber of Commerce to promote the economic and community development of Fishers through the expansion of existing business; and the attraction of new business investment to complement quality of life for the region.
Money Magazine included Fishers, Indiana in its “Top Ten Places to Live,” July 2008, and Forbes magazine named Hamilton County, Indiana as the “Best county in which to raise a family,” also in July 2008.
Media Contact: Sandra Oak Nsight Public Relations Phone: 321-591-1508 Email: soak@nsightpr.com
