July 10, 1996 Contact: Robert Irion (408) 459-2495; irion@ua.ucsc.edu

BUSINESS LEADERS REFINE A REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY LINKED TO THE UC TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT FORT ORD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Planners of the University of California's Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology (MBEST) Center at the former Fort Ord military base gained valuable insights at the Monterey Conference Center on Monday, July 8, about the promise and progress of their project from more than 90 representatives of businesses, industries, government agencies, and educational institutions in the Monterey Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Participants at the work session offered frank feedback about how the Monterey Bay region could define itself to attract and grow businesses that would benefit from the intellectual resources of its universities and other research organizations. Attendees from northern California and beyond affirmed that the region is positioned to capitalize on existing assets necessary for information-based businesses to replace the military's role in the regional economy.

Speakers cited the region's attributes, such as its high quality of life and proximity to numerous topflight research institutions. To enable research-oriented businesses to succeed in the region, many noted, the UC MBEST initiative and regional stakeholders must work together to create a distinctive image, stronger ties between corporate and academic researchers, an environment friendly to business, and better transportation, housing, and other practicalities.

"We hope these meetings will create an ongoing relationship between all of you and the MBEST Center," said director James Gill, associate vice chancellor for research at UC Santa Cruz. "We have held many meetings to talk about how the region can position itself effectively. The difference today is that a large number of you from business have joined us in this room. We need your continued partnership to help the MBEST Center become a unique regional asset."

The work session was the second of two meetings at which the MBEST team solicited input from business leaders, prospective tenants, and others with an interest in seeing the region flourish economically. The first was held on June 17 in Menlo Park.

Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood of UCSC opened Monday's meeting in her first public function since assuming her new post on July 1. "We have a special opportunity to make the Monterey Bay crescent one of the economically most vital and educationally most interesting places to be in the country," Greenwood said. "We're interested in finding out what we can build together that will make all of you want to come to this region."

Sandi Pensinger, chair of the Santa Cruz Technology Alliance and vice president of Diamond Process Applications in Capitola, urged that the current effort not go the way of previous paper-only studies of the region. "No concerted vision exists for the area, but we have the chance to compose one," Pensinger said. "We need to create a symphony from the cacophony that's going on now. We need to have everyone singing from the same page."

The MBEST Center, led by UCSC, is a regional economic initiative that includes development of a technology center on UC- owned property at the former Fort Ord. The U.S. Army conveyed about 1,090 acres of land to the university for the project. Plans call for the development of a research and technology center during the next several decades on about 485 acres. The remaining land has become part of the UC Natural Reserve System, to be preserved as unique maritime chaparral.

The UC Fort Ord Project team has identified four targeted areas of activity for the center: environmental science, technology, and instrumentation, especially coastal applications; biotechnology, emphasizing agricultural and marine applications; information science and technologies; and multimedia education and entertainment.

Attendees at the work session represented dozens of regional businesses, industries, and institutions with interests in at least one of those fields. Partial lists are as follows:

Environmental sciences--Bechtel, the Environmental Educational Alliance, ICF Kaiser, Habitat Restoration Group, Kinnetic Laboratories, Pivot Point Conflict Resolution, Plantronics, SRI International, Toxscan.

Biotechnology--Santa Cruz BioTechnology, Plant Biotics, Harley Consulting Group.

Information sciences--National Semiconductor Corporation, PG&E, Triton Technology.

Multimedia--Bay Area Multi-Media Partnership, Channel 0 Media Group (Odwalla), Lean Productions, SGI.

Also attending were representatives of Congressman Sam Farr's office, Monterey Bay International Trade Association, Monterey Institute of International Studies, CSU Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Santa Cruz County Redevelopment Agency, Santa Clara University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UCSC Extension, Comerica Bank, Smith Barney, and the cities of Marina, Monterey, and Salinas.

The work sessions were facilitated by Information Design Associates (IDeA) and DRI/McGraw-Hill, leaders of a team of consultants retained by the UC MBEST initiative to analyze the region's competitive advantages. A complementary team of consultants is working to develop a business plan for the MBEST Center and a master plan for the site. Both teams will present their reports to project managers at UCSC by the end of the summer.

Editor's note: For interviews about MBEST, call the UC Fort Ord Project Office: (408) 459-3652.

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