Date established:

January 2005 (Dedication)

Management:

Operated by Purdue Research Foundation, the organization that also operates the award-winning West Lafayette-based Purdue Research Park, Indiana’s first Certified Technology Park and home to the largest university-affiliated business incubator in the country as well as the greatest number of technology companies in the state.  More than 190 of the park’s peers at the Association of University Research Parks named Purdue Research Park the nation’s top program for technology transfer (2005) and top research park (2004).

Square footage:

48,000 SF of business incubation space

Amenities:

Access to a high-speed telecommunications infrastructure; videoconferencing capabilities; shared office services; flexible rental rates; networking opportunities; business mentoring; enhanced opportunities for investor interest; technical assistance; and the use of Purdue’s specialized research equipment and laboratories as well as access to university purchasing services for small amounts of unique supplies.

Number of client firms:

14 technology-based company clients, 6 affiliate clients that are technology-based companies; 4 non-technology organizations; and an ongoing list of prospects.

Number of employees:

Incubator tenant companies and the Purdue Technology Center of NW Indiana employ 73 individuals and 13 interns.  Of the 73 employees six were previously employed by the companies as interns.

Historical Data:

October, 2002:

Construction officially begins on northwest Indiana’s first business incubator, built with $6.9 million in federal funding acquired by Indiana Congressman Peter J. Visclosky and, as Purdue University’s first satellite technology center, is supported by Purdue University’s high-tech, entrepreneurial expertise.

July, 2004:

Purdue Research Foundation hires Kathy DeGuilio-Fox, of Highland, Indiana, as Business Development Manager of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.

January, 2005:

Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana celebrates grand opening and welcomes seven charter firms into the newly constructed incubator.

February, 2005:

Purdue Research Foundation and Holladay Properties a joint venture to create a technology business park that is anchored by the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.  The $400 million business and technology park on 393 acres in Merrillville is named Ameriplex at the Crossroads

June, 2005:

Purdue Research Foundation hires John M. Hanak, of Munster, Indiana, as Director of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.

February, 2006:

Ameriplex at the Crossroads business park receives an official Certified Technology Park designation by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation paving the way for tax incentives encouraging the development of high-wage, high-growth business opportunities and technology transfer between corporate and academic sectors