(New Orleans) -- The Silicon Bayou has arrived. A partnership effort between academia, government, and industry has led to the establishment of the University of New Orleans Research and Technology (R&T) Park and its anchor tenant, the Naval Information Technology Center (ITC). Now area partners believe they have an opportunity to position themselves into the Information Revolution, like Henry Ford did for Detroit during the Industrial Revolution.
With the Navy's Information Technology Center providing the nucleus for growth, the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park will attempt to position Louisiana as a technology hub, a beacon for the burgeoning software, information technology, and information management industries. Only partially completed (anticipated completion in 2001), the Park has already been met with success via the strength of its partnerships.
University of New Orleans (UNO) Chancellor Gregory O'Brien said, "It has taken less than 18 months from the time we approached the governor and the legislative leadership until the first person moved into the first two (of four) Navy buildings. The R&T Park affords New Orleans and Louisiana an opportunity to support and capture a major role in a growth industry; keep Louisiana industry at the Œcutting edge' of technology and competitive for world markets; and create high paying job opportunities for our students."
"In ten years (in 2001) since the University acquired the land, the park will have gone from start-up to completely full. We now have 32 companies--not start-up companies, but a concentration of major high- tech/software companies," added Norma Grace, UNO Vice Chancellor for Properties and Facilities Development.
The ITC is the software factory and sophisticated telecommunication link that develops state-of-the-art data management applications for all U.S. military personnel. Their current project is to develop a global information system with an integrated system to handle personnel, pay, and compensation management records for the entire Department of Defense. Once fully developed, the ITC alone will have a projected $600 million yearly impact on the region by 2001.
During a ribbon cutting ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen praised the two Naval Information Technology Center buildings stating, "These buildings represent our dedication to having a revolution in business affairs, in information technology."
"Yes, we're putting millions of dollars into the region's economy, but we're building a future for the Department of Defense and saving millions of dollars for the federal government. We're utilizing the resources in Louisiana to help us as we enter the Information Revolution," said the H. Dale Galloway, Director of the Navy's ITC in New Orleans.
One of the main programs being developed at the ITC is the Defense Integrated Military Human Resource System (DIMHRS, pronounced "dimers"). It is an automated information system that will integrate and modernize ALL military manpower and personnel data collection and processing capabilities. DIMHRS is being built in accordance with Department of Defense requirements. The system will eventually affect millions of people. The DIMHRS program manager is Col. Larry Sweeney, USAF.
When fully staffed, the Center will employ 2,000 information technology specialists. In addition, the facility is forming the center of a local information technology (I.T.) industry that is employing similar specialists. National I.T. companies are locating branch offices here to be responsive to this new sector of the economy. "We're in this for the long run, and if the level of support continues, New Orleans and Louisiana will be a leader in information technology in 10 to 15 years," Galloway said.
"Software and technology are the 21st century industries. The information industry needs information workers. We're creating a substantial employment base of 21st century professionals," said Chancellor O'Brien. Galloway added, "People are our most valuable product. We have an engine that generates people across the street in UNO, an engine that is connected to 24 other Louisiana universities creating the workforce of tomorrow. Thus, the industry will move to us."
The job opportunities and access to students also prove appealing to businesses, as evidenced by the Park already luring businesses to the region. According to Joe Grace, President of the Louisiana Technology Council, several technology companies, including ACS Inc. of Washington, D.C.; Boeing Information Systems of Vienna, Va.; CACI Inc. of Arlington, Va.; Computer Associates of Long Island, NY; Sherikon Inc. of Chantilly, Va.; UNISYS Inc. of Reston, Va. and others have set up offices in the city, with others looking to follow.
Consequently, clusters of corporate and university buildings are now being constructed on 30 acres adjacent to the University to meet the distinctive needs of tenant companies engaged in research and technology development. The Center for Energy Resources Management will house laboratories, a high technology business incubator, and a state-of-the-art conference center. A 120-room Hilton Garden Hotel will serve as the focal point for technology transfer sessions and industry meetings for all tenants and visitors. Five additional buildings, including a research center for the state Office of Public Health, and a multi-tenant building housing several local software companies, are expected to be completed by summer 2001.
As New Orleans and Louisiana enter the Information Revolution, the R&T Park is expected to provide new opportunities that have never before been imagined in this region--a new economy, a new industry, a new future.
For more information, contact Joseph White at 504.280.6622, or jewhite1@uno.edu.