Office
of the Governor
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront (502) 564-2611 or Terri
Giltner (502) 229-1108 (cell)
Team of Kentuckians will
attend BIO 2003 to promote state’s biotechnology industry
Governor Paul E. Patton, along with a public/private
consortium, will attend BIO 2003 (The International Biotechnology Conference
and Exhibition) in Washington, D.C., June 22 – 25 to promote the fact that
Kentucky is primed to become a major player in the biotechnology arena. On Sunday the governor will host a dinner
for targeted research scientists and entrepreneurs in the biotechnology field
in hopes of luring them to locate their operations in Kentucky.
“Attending the International Biotechnology Conference is critical to
Kentucky’s efforts to compete in the New Economy, an economy that is based on brilliant
science and a bright future,” stated Governor Patton. “We want Kentucky to be a haven for the new
dynamic companies of the future.”
The governor will be joined by members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Lexington Mayor Teresa Isaac, University of Kentucky President Dr. Lee Todd, and University of Louisville President Dr. Jim Ramsey. Additionally, representatives from the Office for the New Economy, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, UK’s Coldstream Research Park, Lexington United, Greater Louisville Inc., Kentucky Life Sciences Organization, the Louisville Medical Development Corporation, and the Council on Postsecondary Education will be on hand to help promote Kentucky’s biotechnology strengths. “Demonstrating the partnership and commitment that exists in this state between the business community, government and academia is a key factor in attracting biotechnology enterprises to the state,” said Dr. Bill Brundage, Commissioner of the Officer for the New Economy.
This is the state’s third year to have a significant
appearance at the conference. Besides
hosting a dinner for industry leaders on Sunday evening, the delegation will be
sponsoring a booth in the BIO 2003 exhibit hall, and meeting with potential
companies who are interested in locating their operations in the state. “The first two BIO conferences were
primarily focused on generating general awareness that Kentucky was committed
to supporting a thriving biotechnology community,” said Dr. Brundage. “Now we are primed to close some deals, meet
with researchers, and encourage life science companies to locate in our state.”
Kentucky’s New Economy efforts are just the next
step in the evolutionary process that began in 1990 with the Kentucky
Educational Reform Act. “It is critical
that our state embrace the changes that are occurring in the world and in the
New Economy if we are going to provide our citizens with the quality of life
they desire and deserve,” stated Governor Patton. “We began this journey by first laying a strong foundation with
our K – 12 and postsecondary education systems, because developing a skilled
qualified workforce is vital to competing in the knowledge-based economy.”
Kentucky has taken several other steps in hopes of
becoming a major player in the nation’s future economy, which will be an
economy based on innovation, technology and knowledge. In 2000 the state established an Office for
the New Economy, which immediately set out to establish a strategic plan that
would operate as the state’s blueprint for its efforts in this area. Hundreds of citizens across the Commonwealth
were involved in the process that helped to identify five priority research
areas that capitalize on our state’s strength.
These areas include human health and development, biosciences,
information technology and communications, materials science and advanced
manufacturing, and environmental and energy technologies.
Kentucky’s “Bucks for Brains” program is another
significant advantage the state has in attracting new economy companies. “Bucks for Brains has enabled our
universities to attract some of the brightest research minds in the country,”
said Dr. Brundage. “The industries of
tomorrow will be built on the ideas generated by this country’s major research
universities.”
BIO 2003 runs from Sunday, June 22 through
Wednesday, June 25th at the Washington Convention Center.
Media interviews with all BIO 2002 Kentucky
participants during the conference can be arranged by contacting Governor
Patton’s communications office (502) 564-2611.
An audio sound clip is available on the governor’s web site http://gov.state.ky.us/
For more information on the conference and Kentucky’s participation
please visit the following websites:
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