UI Research Park In Post Falls Lands $1.2 Million Grant Hud Program Designed To Stimulate Job Creation

The University of Idaho will receive $1.2 million in federal funding over three years for its Riverbend Research Park in Post Falls, school officials confirmed Friday.

The money is part of a Housing and Urban Development program that provides opportunity block grants for economic development, UI President Robert Hoover said.

“Because of the kind of community that Post Falls is - a small community in transition - the research park qualifies in terms of consideration because it will bring jobs,” Hoover said. In fiscal year 1998, funding for the UI’s research park complex will total $400,000, according to Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who announced the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved the money.

“The goals of the research park are important ones, especially for our part of the country where so many jobs are dependent upon natural resources,” Craig said. “The project will bring new economic development to the area.”

While the funding is not included in the House version of the appropriations bill, Hoover and Craig both seemed confident the funding would be maintained.

The research park is intended to provide resources for businesses, government agencies and academics while stimulating the local economy.

Located along the Spokane River on land donated by Jacklin Seed Co., it will house UI programs, private research firms and researchers from North Idaho College and Washington State University.

This week, the UI hired an Arizona man to manage the Post Falls site for $75,000 a year.

Doug McQueen is acting executive director of the International Association of University Related Research Parks in Tempe, Ariz., where he also owns a research park planning business.

McQueen also worked as the first director of Arizona State University’s research park.

As park manager, McQueen will act as the primary liaison between the UI and prospective industry partners and be responsible for the overall park planning, development and management. He intends to work with Coeur d’Alene’s economic development councils, landowners and others to market the park and recruit companies to locate there.

, DataTimes