UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 16, Page 1
January 9, 1992
Delaware Technology Park to attract new industries

     In an effort to fuel Delaware's composite and high-technology
industry, Gov. Michael N. Castle formally announced the creation of
the Delaware Technology Park (DTP) and the Institute for Applied
Composites Technology (IACT) at a press conference Jan. 6 at the
University's Center for Composite Materials.
     This major public/private economic development initiative is
expected to enable Delaware to create more than 1,000 jobs by the
year 2000, to attract new businesses to Delaware and to strengthen
existing businesses.
     Calling the initiative "one of the most power public-private
economic development partnerships ever in our state's history,"
Castle said the announcement "involves much more than breaking
ground for a new building. Rather, it will involve thousands of
jobs and unlimited growth opportunities for Delaware's composite
and high-technology industry leaders such as Du Pont, Hercules, ICI
and Lanxide."
     The institute will be housed at the Delaware Technology Park,
which also will provide "unparalleled access to the expertise and
knowledge of the University of Delaware and its Center for
Composite Materials," he said.
     Castle noted that the state's commitment to the initiative and
the composites industry is "extraordinary," with $6 million in
capital funds appropriated for construction of the park.
     "In turn, industry has demonstrated its commitment to the
project," he said. "I am pleased to announce that Du Pont will be
strengthening its commitment to the composites industry and to the
state of Delaware by becoming the first official tenant of the
Delaware Technology Park's Phase One building."
     At the press conference, University President David P. Roselle
said, "It's an appropriate role for the (University) to be able to
convene the interests and the industries of the state, and we're
proud to play that role."
     R. Byron Pipes, provost and vice president for academic
affairs, said there must be a careful balance between free and open
pursuit of knowledge for universities and the rights of competitive
advantage in the industrial sector. "The partnership we are here to
celebrate today may well provide a role model for others in our
country."
     J. Michael Bowman, chairman of the Board of Directors of
Delaware Technology Park and vice president and general manager of
advanced materials systems at Du Pont, listed three elements that
should ensure success: a supportive government environment at the
state and federal levels; "a world-class university, in fact the
land it will be on is University land--a tremendous investment on
the part of the state and the University in this new technology";
and a strong group of companies to see it through.