This will be the first phase of development for the University's Technology Park at the Canterbury Campus. The University hopes to use this centre to capitalise on its specialisms and promote the business benefits of linking with an academic institution. The University's capacity to assist businesses with research and development will be key to attracting new companies, or those wishing to relocate, into the East Kent area.
Four key Kent organisations have come together to develop these exciting plans, hoping to encourage new and relocating businesses to invest in the county. Kent County Council (KCC), Canterbury City Council (CCC) and inward investment agency Locate in Kent will assist the University, in a bid to attract national and international business to the newly proposed innovation centre.
Canterbury as a city will also benefit greatly from the plans. The proposed Innovation Centre will enhance the growth of the local economy, create hundreds of new jobs, help to retain graduates in the area and improve the perception of Canterbury as a business location.
KCC has provided initial support and funding for the project, which will be used to identify specific target sectors, develop a global marketing programme and to support a series of international visits to the site. It will also be used for the recruitment of international 'enterprise champions', who will be selected members of the University's alumni, living all over the world, acting as advocates within the industries in which they now work.
The university is clearly pleased to have the opportunity to work with KCC and Locate in Kent on this exciting project for Canterbury. It pitches the city as an ideal location for an innovation centre of this kind, with excellent proximity to Europe and innovative research in new sectors, particularly software security, informatics and biotech R&D already being carried out at the university.
Among other specialisms, the university believes it will particularly attract companies in the medical devices, healthcare, security and telecoms industries - four sectors that have seen great expansion in recent years.
There is clearly plenty of weight being thrown behind the project. In addition to the funds already committed to the project, KCC is fully supporting Locate in Kent's plans to attract new technology-based businesses to the area. The investment promotions team at the agency are already working hard to promote the benefits of East Kent, and in this instance Canterbury, as a perfect location for businesses considering relocation or setting up a technology-related enterprise. Locate in Kent believes the Innovation Centre is an ideal opportunity for forward-thinking companies to set up and grow.
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