News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 17, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Patrick Jones, SIRTI, 509-358-2025

Gov. Gary Locke Praises Federal Grant to Expand State Technology Facility in Spokane

Gov. Gary Locke today praised the hard work of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute (SIRTI) in securing a multi-million dollar federal grant to expand the facility and create hundreds more good-paying jobs in Eastern Washington.

SIRTI announced today that it will receive more than $3 million from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) to build the new SIRTI Technology Center (STC). It will be the first time the EDA has financed development in Spokane County. SIRTI estimates the STC will generate approximately 1,200 new jobs during the next decade.

“This is great news for SIRTI, and great news for Washington state,” Locke said. “This new facility will help fuel the ‘innovation economy’ in Spokane and the Inland Northwest, helping to turn great ideas into great new companies that create jobs and improve the health care of all of our citizens.”

Patrick Tam, executive director of SIRTI, said, “The new Technology Center is the result of two years of SIRTI planning and dialogue with the EDA. The labs and high tech space will fill a gap in the infrastructure of the greater Spokane area. Our facility will also add to the momentum of the Spokane University District’s build-out. Once it’s open next year, the STC will be another point of pride for the Spokane community.”

The STC will emphasize appropriate commercial space for the life and health sciences. The biotechnology and biomedical sector – including medical biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics, pharmaceutical processing, and plant science-based commerce – is enjoying growth in the Spokane region. Health care is the area’s largest single private sector activity.

The new facility will offer approximately 35,000 square feet of space. Both commercial science labs and office space will be built. SIRTI expects to begin construction in early summer and open for tenants in 10-12 months.

“This federal grant will further expand SIRTI’s contributions to Washington’s economic and technology strengths,” said Juli Wilkerson, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. “It’s a win for the Spokane region, and a win for the entire state.”

Established in 1994, SIRTI is a state-funded economic development agency that advances the growth of emerging technology businesses in the Northwest. The SIRTI building houses staff, tenant and client company office space, plus a full-service business incubator facility. It anchors the Riverpoint Higher Education campus, which includes extension branches of Washington State University and Eastern Washington University.

SIRTI focuses on early-stage businesses developing biomedical, digital and environmental technologies. Most of its client companies are entrepreneurial or university research-based ventures.

Related Links:
- Governor's Web site
- SIRTI Web site


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