UNIVERSITY UNVEILS TECHNOLOGY PARK

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The weather was cloudy, windy and cold Wednesday, but spirits and expectations were high as Southeast Missouri State University officials unveiled a sign denoting a new Technology Park.

The 13.3-acre site is located at the intersection of South Kingshighway and Gerhardt Street20in Cape Girardeau. The land was donated to the university's College of Business.

The Technology Park is divided into four lots, ranging in size from 2.4 acres to 3.2 acres.

Dr. Linda Cochran, director of the university's office of economic development, said the park will seek to attract light manufacturing, health-related businesses, testing laboratories, and computer-related businesses.

She said tenants could include companies relocating from another area of the country, expanding local businesses, or new businesses.

Cochran said tenants who move into the park will agree to provide student internships and opportunities for special studies, while receiving the benefits of access to faculty expertise and university information systems.

The university already has two prospective companies who are interested in locating in the park, said Cochran.

"For Southeast Missouri State University, this is the beginning of a new experience," Cochran remarked during a news conference at the site.

She said the Technology Park "will provide an opportunity to better meet two goals: to continue to improve the quality of preparation received by our students and, at the same time, to become more responsive to the needs of business and economic development of the region. We think the technology park can assist in achieving both of those goals."

Cochran said the name Technology Park was chosen because it will deal with applied business technology that can provide business students a "hands-on" learning experience.

She said the university plans to sell the property by the front foot. The buildings are planned to be of similar architectural design to the buildings in the Doctors Park complex in Cape Girardeau.

University President Kala Stroup said the Technology Park project is another example of the university's interaction with the community, region, public schools, business and government.

She termed the Technology Park a "win-win" situation for the university and for businesses that locate in the park. "Ten to 15 years from now, many people will see the farsightedness of the individuals who did this as a truly great moment for Southeast Missouri State University and our community," Stroup said.

Speaking for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Judy Moss, director of economic development, said business technology is a progressive answer to economic growth. "Our future is in our ability to adapt to the needs of the industrial community," she said.