S P O N S O R   S P O T L I G H T

For those who may not think of Tennessee as a technology hub, a closer look reveals an impressive base of existing technology resources stretching all across the state. The emphasis on technology is part of

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has a staff of more than 4,000 and annually hosts 3,000 more guest researchers who spend two weeks or longer working at the facility.

Tennessee's common sense approach to economic development that has helped the state gain national accolades.

The diversity of the state's research and technological strengths represents dynamic opportunities for the state. From Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the country's largest science and energy laboratory, in East Tennessee; to the UT Baptist Research Park in West Tennessee; and Cool Springs Life Sciences Center in Middle Tennessee, these important research facilities put Tennessee in a healthy position for economic growth and development within a diverse range of technology industries.

"Tennessee is working aggressively to attract industries from a wide range of sectors," says Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and

UT-Baptist Research Park in Memphis will be built in six phases over a 10-year period.

Community Development. "We are taking technology development seriously and we're working hard at building communication and bringing together technology interests and resources that could support one another."

Dubbed Innovation Valley, East Tennessee communities Oak Ridge and Knoxville are capitalizing on new discoveries found through nanotechnology. ORNL has completed the $1.4 billion Spallation Neutron Source, the world's largest civilian science project that has propelled the region to become the foremost center for neutron science research. Nanotechnology, the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules, is expected to impact many industries from automotive to information technology to pharmaceutical.

On the opposite end of the state, the 1.2 million-square-foot UT-Baptist Research Park in the heart of Memphis will house a dedicated six-story 165,000 square-foot biotechnology research facility. Currently in development, the Research Park will also include five state- of-the-art labs and office buildings, a regional biocontainment laboratory and an incubation program that will develop new business in biotechnology and foster creation of new jobs.

Cool Springs Life Science Center Building One is complete and fully leased at 32,000 square feet. Another 108,000 square-feet is planned to complete the campus.

The Middle Tennessee Cool Springs Life Sciences Center, a $75 million, 10-acre research park, will be a hub of life sciences research and development for biotech, pharmaceutical and medical-device companies. Located in what is already the center for the health care industry, the Life Sciences Center is a welcomed addition to Middle Tennessee's flourishing health care community.

These examples only begin to tell the story of Tennessee's growing technological developments. For more information about Tennessee, please visit www.tnecd.gov.