Source: Dan Richardson, 913-541-1220, dcr@kstateoic.ksu.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/drichardsonbio.html
Web site: http://kstateoic.ksu.edu/
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

K-STATE BREAKING GROUND AT OLATHE INNOVATION CAMPUS NOV. 12

OLATHE -- A groundbreaking for the first building on Kansas State University's Olathe Innovation Campus will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Kansas Bioscience Research Park, Valley Road and College Boulevard.

Dan Richardson, chief executive officer of the K-State Olathe Innovation Campus Inc., said the first building will be the National Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety. The $28 million facility will house educational and lab spaces to support research, education and technology commercialization in animal health and food safety.

"It is exciting to realize that an idea that took shape just a few short years ago is now becoming a reality," he said. "This is the beginning of additional educational opportunities, work force development and technology commercialization that will build on the vision made possible by the city of Olathe, the citizens of Johnson County and Kansas State University."

Speakers at the ceremony will include Kirk Schulz, K-State president; Michael Copeland, Olathe mayor; Ed Eilert, chair of the Johnson County Research Triangle; and Jill Docking, chair of the Kansas Board of Regents.

K-State's Olathe Innovation Campus is the academic research presence within the Kansas Bioscience Park. The campus provides a direct link to K-State's many resources while also giving K-State greater visibility and access to the heart of the Animal Health Corridor. Initially, the campus will focus on commercially viable applied research and technology discovery in animal health and food safety and security.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority also will build bioscience focused accelerator and incubator facilities in the park designed to advance technology and attract life science start-ups that spin off research from K-State and elsewhere.

The approximately 108,000 square foot building is being designed and built by 360 Architecture and the Weitz Company, and should be complete by late 2010 or early 2011, Richardson said.

The campus is part of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle initiative and the building is financed by a portion of the one-eighth cent sales tax approved by Johnson County voters in November 2008.

Parking for the groundbreaking is on site and across the street.