September 13, 1999

MBEST receives $2 million federal grant to develop high-tech start-ups

By Tim Stephens

The federal Economic Development Agency (EDA) has provided a grant of $2 million to fund a technology-based business incubator at UC's Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology (MBEST) Center. The small-business incubator will be a joint project of MBEST and the city of Marina.

The incubator will provide facilities and technical expertise for small start-up companies in technology-based fields. The EDA grant will fund the construction of part of a 26,200-square-foot space on the main MBEST campus on the former Fort Ord military reservation.

"The incubator will give the region a place where emerging technology companies can start, grow, and have facilitated access to regional research and development institutions," said MBEST director Lora Lee Martin. "It is tangible evidence of the reuse of Fort Ord and the creation of jobs that complement our center."

Start-up companies will be able to use the incubator's office space, computer networks, conference center, and telephones, and will also have access to training programs and high-tech business development services. The longterm goal is to create a workforce of some 500 high-end technology jobs over a ten-year period.

The business incubator is expected to attract companies in the fields of information science and technology; telecommunications; environmental and marine sciences, technologies, and instrumentation; agricultural research and technology; multimedia educational and entertainment materials; and other emerging technologies.

Establishing a community of high-technology businesses is seen as a key to the economic development of the region.

"Technological jobs are where the future is," said Congressman Sam Farr. "We now have to ensure that our local businesses are wired to handle the changes of next century."

The city of Marina was particularly hard hit by job losses when the base at Fort Ord closed. City officials see the incubator program as one way to bring back businesses and jobs to the area. Marina already leases space to technology companies at its airport on the former Fritzsche Army Airfield on Fort Ord.

Construction of the facility is expected to begin next spring and should be completed by fall 2000.

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