The University of Mississippi has been committed to the development of a world-class research park for more than a decade. This investment in the state’s economic future could not come at a more critical time. Together with the University of Mississippi Innovation Center (UMIC), the research park will help turn ideas into innovations.
This innovative environment — connecting people with ideas to people with the entrepreneurial drive and resources to make things happen — has the ability to drive economic development throughout the entire state, providing a dynamic intellectual and physical environment for technology and other research-based companies to locate here and increasing the rate of technology innovation and transfer. It also promises to create opportunities for Mississippians from all walks of life, offering appealing employment opportunities to keep bright graduates at home with well-paying jobs while providing a sound financial return to the state and improving the quality of life for all its residents.
The University of Mississippi Research Park will offer state-of-the-art facilities for those companies looking to benefit from the intellectual environment of the University. The park’s location will also provide easy access to the central transportation and shipping hub of Memphis, Tennessee.
The University’s vision is for a research park that is completely integrated into the fabric of the main campus. The research park will house a wide range of tenants developing innovative products that will benefit from close links with the academic community and research facilities of the University. In addition to attracting established firms and new startup companies, the research park will accelerate the creation and growth of new commercial enterprises emerging from the University’s research.
The goals for the research park are:
The University is in the final planning stages of the park and is preparing to begin construction of the initial building within this calendar year. We are interested in hearing what others have to say about the plan for the research park – please send your comments to sydspain@olemiss.edu.
Alice M. Clark
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs