Biotech Location Strategies (cover)
Central Indiana
Massachusetts
Greater Philadelphia
Pennsylvania's
Lehigh Valley
SouthCoast Massachusetts
Purdue Research Park
Town of Gander
New Jersey Economic Dev. Authority (EDA)
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Gander, A 'Natural' Choice for Biotech Companies
Ask Derm Chafe about biotechnology and he beams like a kid in a candy store, trying to decide which bin to dive into first. And, as Economic Development Director for the Town of Gander, that's just about how he feels.
"Biotech is our future. It's the new frontier of industry; the quest for a new understanding of life and of how we can make best use of that knowledge. Gander was built on that pioneering spirit and we want very much to be part of this new, exciting adventure."
Indeed, to hear older residents tell it, Gander's role in advancing aviation technologies single-handedly won the Second World War. In the 1970s, the town hosted early testing for the SST Concorde when most nations still banned the supersonic craft from their airspace. It raises no eyebrows among locals that Gander remains a designated alternate landing site for NASA's space shuttle program.
But, while Gander continues to work with its aerospace partners to redefine an industry in turmoil, it is also seeking to diversify its economic base.
"Biotechnology is not necessarily a new concept," Chafe says. "It's as old as using yeast to make bread and wine. The only difference in what's happening out there today is that we have the capacity, through modern technologies, to make better, more efficient and more diverse use of our natural resources."
That's an all too familiar refrain in Canada's most easterly province, where the collapse of Atlantic codfish stocks has forced a broad restructuring of an industry that supported these people for some 500 years. The new fishery focuses on traditionally underutilized species and seeks markets for every conceivable byproduct, ultimately generating higher gross revenues from a fraction of the biomass once harvested.
In terms of catering to the specific needs of biotech companies, Chafe says Gander offers the kinds of natural resources, human resources and infrastructure that impress corporate site selectors.
"This is an industry that we are well-suited for in Gander," he explains. "These people are looking for skilled, educated workers, modern infrastructure, access to natural resources and a supportive business environment. They want power? We have a stable power grid with plenty of room for expansion. They want water? I'm looking out the window at 4.5 trillion gallons of pure fresh water."
Biotech companies are acutely aware of their public image and Chafe says Gander prides itself on its own image as a clean, modern and progressive community, nestled in a pristine environment.
"Other things being equal, do you want to be surrounded by concrete and steel, or do you want to be surrounded by trees and grass and clean air and clean water?"
"Biotech is our future. It's the new frontier of industry; the quest for a new understanding of life and of how we can make best use of that knowledge. Gander was built on that pioneering spirit and we want very much to be part of this new, exciting adventure."
Indeed, to hear older residents tell it, Gander's role in advancing aviation technologies single-handedly won the Second World War. In the 1970s, the town hosted early testing for the SST Concorde when most nations still banned the supersonic craft from their airspace. It raises no eyebrows among locals that Gander remains a designated alternate landing site for NASA's space shuttle program.
But, while Gander continues to work with its aerospace partners to redefine an industry in turmoil, it is also seeking to diversify its economic base.
"Biotechnology is not necessarily a new concept," Chafe says. "It's as old as using yeast to make bread and wine. The only difference in what's happening out there today is that we have the capacity, through modern technologies, to make better, more efficient and more diverse use of our natural resources."
That's an all too familiar refrain in Canada's most easterly province, where the collapse of Atlantic codfish stocks has forced a broad restructuring of an industry that supported these people for some 500 years. The new fishery focuses on traditionally underutilized species and seeks markets for every conceivable byproduct, ultimately generating higher gross revenues from a fraction of the biomass once harvested.
In terms of catering to the specific needs of biotech companies, Chafe says Gander offers the kinds of natural resources, human resources and infrastructure that impress corporate site selectors.
"This is an industry that we are well-suited for in Gander," he explains. "These people are looking for skilled, educated workers, modern infrastructure, access to natural resources and a supportive business environment. They want power? We have a stable power grid with plenty of room for expansion. They want water? I'm looking out the window at 4.5 trillion gallons of pure fresh water."
Biotech companies are acutely aware of their public image and Chafe says Gander prides itself on its own image as a clean, modern and progressive community, nestled in a pristine environment.
"Other things being equal, do you want to be surrounded by concrete and steel, or do you want to be surrounded by trees and grass and clean air and clean water?"