Governor Laura Kelly announced today that KU Innovation Park has been awarded a $5 million grant for its Phase III, IV, and V infrastructure projects. The funding was awarded by the Kansas Department of Commerce through the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) program. This program was authorized by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee which is responsible for determining the allocation of the Federal COVID-19 relief funds across Kansas.
The funds will support the next critical phase of the Park’s development of a major research and business park adjacent to the KU’s West Campus. Phase III, currently under construction, will open in the summer of 2022. BASE grant funds will be used to outfit additional wet lab space that can support 2-4 additional companies in that facility. Wet lab space is in high demand in the region and with minimal availability, the increased capacity will allow the Park to retain more companies that might otherwise leave the region if unable to find suitable spaces.
BASE funds will also be used to commission Engineering and Design Documents to support the Phase IV and V initiatives. Phase IV is the Kansas National Security Innovation Center (KNSIC), an 80,000 sqft. building with a high-security office and dry-lab focus. Phase V is the Kansas Bio-Innovation and Sustainability Center (KBSC), an 80,000 sqft. building with specialized wet lab facilities. The combined three phases will support the establishment of three regional industry clusters: Cybersecurity & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and Sustainable Engineering.
“The receipt of this grant is a critical step toward KU Innovation Park’s 15-year vision,” LaVerne Epp, Executive Chair of the KU Innovation Park said. “The award is indicative of the State’s recognition that expansion of the Park presents a transformational economic development opportunity for the region and the state. In coordination with our stakeholders, we will continue to be bold in pursuit of the Park’s mission to create Kansas jobs and build a more robust, resilient, and diverse regional economy.”
Find out more about the BASE Grant and Recipients here.