By LEE MORRISON, New Philadelphia Times-Reporter Business Editor

      Focused on the future, supporters of a Tuscarawas Regional Technology Park

      enjoyed the present Friday.

      U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development David A.

      Sampson presented an oversized check for $2.3 million during the official

      announcement at Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State University at New

      Philadelphia.

      Plans call for developing a business incubator facility and 28 lots for

      private businesses using about 170 acres located between University Dr. NE

      and Ridge Rd. The location is considered ideal because it is close to the

      campus, its technology center and Buckeye Career Center.

      About 100 acres are to be developed, with the rest used as green space.

      The goal is to provide about 600 jobs. A second phase calls for creating a

      business incubator facility to assist start-up companies.

      Sampson said the money would be used for streets, sewer, water, gas,

      electric and broadband communication capability.

      Sampson used the 200th anniversary of the city of New Philadelphia as a

      comparison to what is happening today. He said the same pioneering

      entrepreneurship evident then and now “never goes out of style.”

      He said the funding would help provide the infrastructure to help attract

      new jobs.

      “Our commitment does not end here today,” he said.

      He spoke of improved national job growth statistics released Friday and

      said it is critical that Ohio is plugged into that economic growth.

      Sampson also congratulated the community on its shared vision and putting

      forward the financial and leadership resources needed.

      Kent State University President Carol A. Cartwright said Sampson’s

      presence representing the federal Economic Development Administration

      “speaks volumes” about the project and the agency’s support for regional

      economic development.

      She said the university’s role in the project is part of an ongoing effort

      to “translate scholarship into economic action.” The power of the

      partnerships involved “are a shining example, and perhaps the best” in the

      eight-campus Kent State system. She said there’s no doubt that the

      collaboration will be a rural model for economic development in the United

      States.

      “I pledge Kent State’s steadfast support,” she said.

      In November 2002, the Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp. and

      the city of New Philadelphia filed a joint application seeking $2.3

      million with the EDA.

      In remarks separate from the event, Sampson hailed the idea of a high-tech

      incubator in the plan.

      “That’s certainly a good strategy,” he said. “A lot of times a new

      business on its own can’t afford to take a concept from the lab bench to

      the market place, or maybe they have the technology skills, but not the

      entrepreneurial skills necessary. It’s very important to create an

      entrepreneurial environment to help deploy technology to the market

      place.”

      Sampson also values the tech park’s regional approach.

      “Obviously, rural development is a very important priority for us,” he

      said. “President Bush is committed not only to national economic growth,

      but he wants it to be broad-based in all states. We certainly can’t afford

      to leave rural areas behind in tapping into that growing national economy.

      There’s a growing amount of research that shows rural areas can be an

      attractive venue. Given today’s communication technology, businesses have

      more flexibility in where they choose to locate. I think one of the things

      that’s very important about this is its connection with the urban centers

      in Northeast Ohio.”

      Campus Dean Gregg Andrews said the announcement is a culmination of

      several years of effort to bring together education, economic, business

      and political leadership for a new economic development approach for the

      Tuscarawas Valley.

      “We envision a synergy between higher education and the local economy

      which would link applied science, advanced technology, work force

      development, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation to enhance

      opportunities throughout the Valley,” Andrews said.

      CIC Director Heinz Stucki said that in addition to the tech park jobs,

      “this is a $4 1/2 million construction project which of itself will create

      jobs over the next two years, giving us a much-needed economic boost.

      “It’s rewarding to see this phase of the long process come to fruition.

      The tech park is a reality. Now, the implementation of the vision really

      gets under way. This is what’s possible as a result of many people working

      together with a common focus and goal.

      New Philadelphia Mayor Ronald Brodzinski called it “a very, very important

      step in the employment future of this whole area.”

      Copyright ©2004 The Times Reporter