Tech, Ruston celebrate bright future spotlighted by Enterprise Campus
T. Scott Boatright, Reporter
12-17-2009
They’ve walked hand-in-hand for years, and now the relationship between Louisiana Tech and the city of Ruston is paying off in a big way.Tech and Ruston were recently awarded a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration for infrastructure development including roads, utilities and green space as part of the new Enterprise Campus.
Tech broke ground on Tech Pointe, Enterprise Campus’ first multi-tenant facility, located on the northwest corner of Homer Street and Arizona Avenue in Ruston, in October. The grant will be used to help facilitate that work and Tech president Dan Reneau said the funding should speed up the process.
Tech officials said the grant, awarded through the EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, will also provide for major upgrades and improvements to the underground infrastructure of Enterprise Campus and will begin to create enhancements to the above ground space between the campus and downtown Ruston, making it attractive to emerging and advanced technology companies.
During a press conference held in Reneau’s office on Wednesday, the Tech president expressed his thanks to the city of Ruston for working with the university over the years.
“I’m grateful for the long-standing relationship we have with Mayor Dan Hollingsworth and the vision we both share for the future of our community.” Reneau said. “Enterprise Campus and the city of Ruston are poised to become the epicenter of north Louisiana’s economic development and high-tech business and research activities.”
Hollingsworth said the success of the Tech/Ruston team-up has been long in the making.
“The collaboration didn’t just start on this project,” Hollingsworth said. “It goes back to 1999, when the Tech fifth-year architecture students’ weekend charrette in the Civic Center pointed out some of our possibilities for the future. Since then the city has involved Tech leadership on our Tech overlay district to secure the future development around the university. Richard Aillet of the city has been working with Tech on trenchless technology and Ruston has embraced this concept. Tech leaders have served on our Planning and Zoning Commission and are presently strategically involved in our Ruston 21 Advisory Commission. We have a new agreement to supply fresh water to the Tech campus.
“This EDA grant is the latest in our many collaborations for our mutual benefit, and the city has pledged to continue this spirit of cooperation for the future.”
Hollingsworth said working together only makes sense for both the city and Tech.
“It is in our mutual best interest to work collaboratively toward our common goals and to assist one another when it is appropriate,” Hollingsworth said. “The city and our entire region are beneficiaries of the good things that Tech is doing. Working together on our shared projects and needs makes sense.
“Two separate entities with many common and overlapping goals … it’s a win/win situation for both.”
Hollingsworth said the potential for Enterprise Campus is crucial for the Ruston region.
“Louisiana Tech’s research and development, patenting, inventions and entrepreneurship combine to offer great potential for growth and prosperity for our region for the future,” Hollingsworth said. “The Enterprise Center will be a keystone of this entire effort. Dr. Reneau’s leadership has given Tech and our region a great foundation for growth and prosperity.”
As part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA focuses on locally developed, regionally-based economic development initiatives that achieve the highest return on the taxpayers’ investment and that directly contribute to economic growth.
The Economic Adjustment Assistance Program is designed to respond flexibly to pressing economic recovery issues and is suited to help address challenges faced by U.S. regions and communities.
In addition to the Economic Adjustment Assistance grant, the EDA’s University Center Economic Development Program has renewed funding for Louisiana Tech’s University Center for Economic Development, amounting to $270,000 over a three-year period.
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