The 哔咔漫画 Research Park has been named the 2022 Outstanding Research Park by the 鈥� an international nonprofit organization that represents research parks and innovation districts. This award encourages continuous evaluation and development of best practices for the research park community and USF鈥檚 selection for the award is a testament to its execution on vision and the science conducted within.
The USF Research Park brings together world-class researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs eager to collaborate with a highly-trained, high-tech workforce. It鈥檚 currently home to more than 65 companies, dozens of student-led startups as well as academic, state and federal labs. Its capacity has recently grown with the spring grand opening of a new state-of-the-art research center that deepens the connection between university innovation and the business community, helping advance the Tampa Bay region鈥檚 growing startup ecosystem.
鈥淲e are honored that the 哔咔漫画鈥檚 Research Park is receiving international recognition for the work taking place in our robust and renowned research enterprise,鈥� said USF President Rhea Law. 鈥淯SF鈥檚 Research Park serves as a vibrant home for supporting the Tampa Bay region鈥檚 rapidly growing innovation economy and solving global problems. The recent expansion of the park represents our commitment to expanding the university鈥檚 work in this area and helping our researchers, inventors and partners flourish.鈥�
鈥淭he USF Research Park is a significant economic driver for the Tampa Bay region and an important asset when it comes to attracting top life sciences and biotech companies to our area and developing our homegrown talent,鈥� said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. 鈥淭he latest additions to the Research Park and future planned investments will continue to strengthen our region鈥檚 competitiveness.鈥�
USF鈥檚 innovation and economic development efforts generate more than $582 million in statewide impact each year, sustain more than 4,000 jobs and return more than $71 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal coffers, according to a 2019 analysis from the Washington Economics Group, a leading national firm. Eighty-two percent of the jobs created by USF innovation statewide are in the knowledge-based services sector. The research enterprise is a key element to USF鈥檚 annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.