October 7, 1996

Business leaders convene to refine strategy for MBEST Center

Planners of UC's Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology (MBEST) Center at the former Fort Ord military base gained valuable insights at the Monterey Conference Center recently 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 James Gill, associate vice chancellor for research at UCSC. "We have held many meetings to talk about how the region can position itself effectively. 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 in June in Menlo Park.

Chancellor Greenwood opened the Monterey meeting. "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, 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.

--Robert Irion