Technical park to aid downtown

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan announced plans for a certified technical park to benefit both campus and resident community members in the downtown area. \nThe city's economic development community convened at IU Research Park Monday afternoon to hear how the technical park seeks to create economic incentives and cultural amenities for small business start-up, development and expansion with the support of a cohesive small business community.\nThe proposal does not entail wooden benches, swing-sets and charcoal grills; rather, the certified technical park will use already-zoned downtown commercial space for high-end technology and life science businesses soon to be created by recent and future IU research projects. The preferred downtown small business aesthetic outlined in the plan is ample office space, convenient parking, affordable dining and the pleasures of walking around town. \nJoining Kruzan in discussing his vision of future downtown growth and prosperity were City Council President Mike Diekhoff, IU Assistant Vice President for Real Estate and Economic Development Lynn Coyne, Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart and CEO of Information in Place, Inc., Sonny Kirkley. The proposed certified technical park has to be approved by the state before the city can break ground on the project.\nKruzan is optimistic about the fate of Bloomington's certified technical park while the city's plan is in the hands of state economic committees.\n"I made a promise of economic development when I campaigned. Who knew I'd win?" Kruzan joked to the audience of about 25 community members. "A successful application meets at least one criteria. Well, we have met all three. We hope to virtually blanket downtown with business incentives so small business owners will relocate here."\nKruzan also thanked the city staff for helping his office look professional. In particular, he acknowledged the heroic contributions of his economic development staff of one, Bloomington Economic Director Ron Walker. \nWalker's job description involves following through on all of the mayor's economic campaign promises.\n"We are fortunate to have IU as a partner, and we look forward to expanding partnerships with Ivy Tech State College," Walker said. "We think we have a high growth potential. We are working to attract business growth downtown with commercial resources and amenities. The certified technical park will focus on small business and entrepreneurial services."\nIndiana Small Business Development Center Regional Director Brian Kleber believes the certified technical park will help ensure the future stability of the downtown economy.\n"Manufacturing, in the traditional sense, has gone by the wayside. The new park will be one more tool in the city's toolbox," Kleber said. "The downtown area was chosen due to the cultural amenities of the city and IU. It will be some time before we see true fruition of the plan."\nKirkley, an IU alumnus, is pleased with the economic progress of the city despite the perceived brain drain of IU graduates from the state.\n"Three-fourths of the battle is not technology. The battle is determining how best to use the technology effectively," Kirkley said. "There are hundreds of small businesses in town being run out of a bedroom or a garage. There is no opportunity for these people to collaborate with each other. We have a cluster of organizations that need a city infrastructure to support their growth."\nOnce the certified technical park is approved and construction is under way, the city hopes to keep building business growth while redeveloping and enhancing the downtown architecture already existing. Kirkley hopes students will think twice before migrating to the coast after graduation.\n"We know about the brain drain, but what about a brain gain? Why not work for two or three years out-of-state after graduation, and then come back home to Indiana," he said. "Every student has a choice to make about what to do after school. Bloomington is a great community to live in and Indiana is a great state to be a part of."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.