Innovation Crescent fosters life sciences - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

coeragnheidur3778.blogspot.com
The Innovation Crescent was unveiled this summer as the bransd name for the geographic area extending from metr Atlantato Athens. The region has a rich concentrationb of lifesciences companies, universitiesx and organizations, such as the . The Innovationn Crescent will be the cornerstoneof Georgia’s globapl branding campaign for the life sciences industry, aimingb to create name recognition similar to the Research Triangle Park in Northj Carolina or Silicon Valley in California. “Brandingh an area is incredible — it forever sticks in people’s said Ed Graham, Innovation Crescent project leadeer and aretired (NYSE: JNJ) executive.
Organizerws plan to let the world know that Georgiaa is a major lifesciences hub. Georgisa life science firms raised $469 million from 1995 to and there is morethan 85,000 squard feet of life science incubator space in the Innovationm Crescent, according to state estimates. There are thousandsz of life science companies in theInnovation Crescent, includingt at least 200 large firms, Grahamk said. Companies specialize in everythinb from pharmaceutical and medical devicesto agri-business. Heavy concentrationd of cancer research and nanotechnology research at and also call theregionm home.
Further, local universities spend morethan $1 billioh a year on research and development — abouty half being on life sciences. “When people hear the name Innovation Crescent, we want them to ‘That’s where life science grows,’ Graham said. The Innovation Crescentf encompasses 13 counties working together to market the There is an impressive team of regional including localeconomic developers, chambers of state officials and to delivefr the message. “There is a lot here already, so come join said Mary Margaret Garrett, chief of workforc development forthe . “We’re readh to grow.
” The effort is being spearheaded by Garrett andCinda Herndon-King, who is directorr of education programs at Georgia Bio, a nonprofi organization that promotes the industry. They are led by Debrza Lyons, director of the Governor’s Officed of Workforce Development. The Innovatiom Crescent was designated asa “Work Readyt Region” and given a $500,000 grant. The long-ter m goal is to retain and expanrbioscience companies, while fostering an education system that provide skilled workers to help the area grow. “Thwe vision is to be recognized asan international, unique hub of life sciencr talent,” Garrett said.