A leading East Coast tech hub, Fairfax County offers robust cloud computing and internet infrastructure, providing unlimited potential for life-science industries and data analytics solutions. Built upon this strong foundation, the region is nurturing emerging markets such as bioinformatics, personalized medicine, genomics and proteomics.
In addition to unparalleled access, Fairfax County offers a wide variety of office, lab and industrial space to fit all businesses in the industry’s supply chain. With more than 119 million square feet of space, the Fairfax County office market is the second-largest suburban office market in the U.S. and the largest in the metro D.C. area.
The D.C. Metro boasts one of the largest life science talent pools in the nation and Fairfax County continues to feed that talent pool, with George Mason University creating Virginia’s first College of Public Health. The region is also home to more than 45 local colleges and universities offering health and life science degree programs. An educated and mission-driven workforce is ready and able to fill the needs of life science companies of all sizes. This is a place where the future isn’t just an idea, it’s being invented and developed in the county, then deployed all around the world.
Visit www.fairfaxcountyeda.org.
HudsonAlpha: Genomic Research for Human Health
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a 152-acre biotech campus located in the heart of Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, AL. One of HudsonAlpha’s goals is to co-locate independent, for-profit companies with non-profit genomic research labs and genomic educators. The Institute operates less like one entity but instead as a collection of more than 65, including 11 non-profit research labs, 50 resident for-profit companies, two dedicated philanthropic organizations, a staff of educators, and even an on-campus clinic.
From their first day on campus, new companies feel the dedication to growth, not unlike that of a biotech incubator. HudsonAlpha is different, though, as the network and opportunities it offers are perpetual to the companies on its campus, some of which have been growing since the Institute opened in 2008.
Over the course of 15 years, HudsonAlpha has been home to dozens of resident associate companies of different sizes and scopes that take advantage of its ecosystem. It has seen bioscience giants enter to better reach consumers, pharmaceutical companies patent novel therapies in partnership with local professors, software companies make healthcare more equitable with computer science students from nearby universities, and startups reach maturity and acquisition.
Of these companies, Discovery Life Sciences has been one of the fastest to scale. As one of the inaugural tenants at HudsonAlpha, Discovery began its journey with only its two founding entrepreneurs and now boasts over 700 employees worldwide. Their operations grew rapidly with over 250 Discovery employees filling unoccupied lab and office space on the HudsonAlpha campus.
One of the co-founders, Marshall Schreeder, ties part of that success to the location. “An opportunity to be with other scientists, companies, and entrepreneurs was something we couldn’t pass up. It has just been a great opportunity for us as we grow to learn from others.”
Its rapid growth at HudsonAlpha prompted discussion of a global headquarters, and after weighing options, Discovery leadership, once again, landed on HudsonAlpha as the best option. “Our partnership with HudsonAlpha, the State of Alabama, and the city of Huntsville is unique and unmatched compared to other locations we considered,” said Glenn Bilawsky, CEO of Discovery. “The city of Huntsville is an extremely attractive location to support our growth and create a compelling story to recruit and retain the highly educated workforce that is critical to support our rapid expansion. We are confident in our decision to stay and build here.”
In summer 2023, HudsonAlpha will unveil the newly completed 96,000-square-foot Discovery Life Sciences Global Headquarters, a testament to its dedication to entrepreneurship and the value of digging into Huntsville. Discovery plans to consolidate part of its operations from around the world and will bring hundreds of jobs along with it.
While currently near full capacity, HudsonAlpha’s economic development leadership expects Discovery’s consolidation to free up key lab and office space throughout the campus for companies wishing to join the ecosystem. From new startups to established bioscience businesses to industry leaders like Discovery looking to plant roots, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has everything to support growth.
Visit www.hudsonalpha.org.
Indian River County, Florida: Central to Where Business Needs to Be
Indian River County—Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere—strikes a perfect balance between business and pleasure. Those who live, work, or visit Florida’s Central East Coast experience a safe and affordable community that’s rich in history and natural resources, with year-round mild temperatures and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean providing a variety of outdoor activities. Corporate executives locate their companies in this area because of their positive vacation experience, plus many have homes in Vero Beach.
Located midway between West Palm Beach and Cape Canaveral, Indian River County is within three hours of over 18 million consumers, or 90% of Florida’s population. It has easy access to markets, and the county was recently awarded Bronze-level recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists.
The county’s superb quality of life also attracts innovative businesses and talented professionals from around the country and throughout the world. Advanced industries from aviation to aquaculture and emerging tech to healthcare benefit from a low cost of doing business and some of the lowest taxes in the nation. Additionally, commute times within the county are no more than 30 minutes, and less than an hour within the tri-county region.
Indian River County has hundreds of acres of low-cost land available for development, much of it located near I-95, a major north-south transportation route along the east coast—perfect for warehouse/distribution operations. The county also offers competitive property tax rates, local incentives, and no state income tax.
The Opportunity Zone initiative provides investors an even greater reason to consider Indian River County, as all properties west of I-95 in the county are designated as an Opportunity Zone. This includes the City of Fellsmere, a rural community in the northwestern portion of the county with thousands of acres of developable land and quick access to I-95. Headwaters Isles in Fellsmere has approximately 18,000 acres of pristine land, a large portion of which is designated for commercial/industrial use.
Air transportation in the area is served by two general aviation airports, which primarily cater to private and corporate aircraft. Sebastian Airport is home to Whelen Aerospace Technologies, a global leader in high-end lighting products for the aerospace industry. Vero Beach Regional Airport is home to Piper Aircraft, an internationally recognized manufacturer of small personal aircraft. The Vero Beach Airport is a full-service Fixed Base Operator with a 7,000-foot runway. Both airports have plenty of airside and non-aviation land available for future development.
An available and trainable workforce of approximately 638,000 within an hour’s drive time adds to the county’s appeal as a desirable location. Indian River State College (IRSC) has five campuses located throughout the region, offering two-year and four-year degrees. IRSC is quite successful in securing training grants for local employers. According to GradReports.com, IRSC’s Biology Department is ranked #7 in the entire nation among all colleges and universities. IRSC offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and four Associate in Arts Degree programs for a firm foundation in biology: Biology (General), Biotechnology, Biology (Preprofessional), and Marine Aquatic Biology. IRSC also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Biomedical Sciences.
Visit www.indianrivered.com.
Irving-Las Colinas: Where Pharma and Biotech Win
Irving-Las Colinas is recognized as the “Headquarters of Headquarters” in Texas, and with good reason. The city is a magnet for Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 corporate headquarters, with more per capita than any city in the state. And, in a region known for its strength in diversity of industries, Irving-Las Colinas is no stranger to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
In 2019, McKesson Corp., the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributor, moved its headquarters to Irving-Las Colinas, attributing the relocation in part to the region’s exceptional talent and the unrivaled employee work environment.
City officials, site selectors, and commercial real estate executives attribute the success with McKesson and companies like it to the talent pool, location, real estate, and business-friendly regulatory and tax environment.
With over 16,000 people working in biotechnology in the area, McKesson is not alone in calling the city home. Zoetis and Abbott Laboratories, two leaders in animal and human pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, also have major established presences in the city. Progressive Laboratories, a nutraceutical products manufacturer, is headquartered in Irving-Las Colinas. Centrally located and adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), the city provides companies convenient, global distribution access.
In 2019, McKesson Corp., the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributor, moved its headquarters to Irving-Las Colinas, attributing the relocation in part to the region’s exceptional talent and the unrivaled employee work environment.
Employees also win with Irving-Las Colinas’ time-honoring “10-Minute Life” lifestyle. The phrase describes the idyllic lifestyle where all of life’s necessities and amenities are accessible within a 10-minute transit time. One can travel to the office or the store, dine at eclectic and diverse restaurants, reach miles of hiking and biking trails, pick up students from school, go to a live concert or get to two major airports—within minutes.
Irving-Las Colinas officials, site selectors, and commercial real estate executives attribute the success with McKesson Corp. and companies like it to the talent pool, location, real estate, and business-friendly regulatory and tax environment.
But supporting a healthy work-life balance is only part the attraction for employers. It is also the city’s focus, alongside its education partners, on growing a qualified talent pool. With eight universities, colleges and trade schools, and 106 additional post-secondary schools within a 25-mile radius, nearly 40% of residents over 25 have earned a two-year college degree and 35% have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Irving Independent School District (ISD) plays an important role in training future biotech and pharmaceutical workers with industry-guided curricula and hands-on experiences. Together, Irving ISD and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have partnered on a biomedical science program that included 2,500 student participants.
The Irving Economic Development Partnership (IEDP) and its customer-first culture make selecting the city for relocation or expansion easy. From troubleshooting potential obstacles to coordinating development meetings and assisting with transition for relocating employees, the IEDP team ensures a seamless process.
The IEDP team also offers companies access to a wealth of local and state incentive opportunities, from tax abatements to grant programs. Qualifying companies can also take advantage of the city’s two Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIFs) and three Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) that can reimburse various infrastructure costs.
The Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), the largest “deal-closing” fund of its kind in the nation, is available to companies offering significant projected job creation and capital investment. The State of Texas also provides grant programs that support a growing, educated workforce and foster innovation, including The Skills Development Fund, which assists community and technical colleges in financing job training programs.
With industry-leading representation, readily accessible amenities and transportation options and a diverse, educated workforce, Irving-Las Colinas is a proven home for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies looking to grow for the long-term.
Visit irvingchamber.com.
Kansas: Innovation, Talent, and Location
As they work to protect and improve the health of people, animals, and other living things, companies worldwide find the best possible location in Kansas—where a strategic central location, robust talent pipeline, outstanding universities, and powerful partnerships are distinct difference-makers. “Kansas is in the middle of the country, but at the top of the world when it comes to research, development and testing of new technologies in critical sectors,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
The ongoing quest for new technologies involves national security investments such as the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), a biocontainment laboratory focusing on threats to the U.S. animal agricultural industry and other public health research. NBAF is appropriately located in Manhattan, which is considered the “Silicon Valley of Biodefense” due to its creative, innovative ecosystem centered around Kansas State University that works to predict, detect and prevent the diseases of tomorrow.
In Lawrence, the University of Kansas (KU) is nationally recognized for its drug discovery and development advancements. The ability to uncover drugs that can be cultivated into disease-fighting options for the challenges facing humanity is key to survival. Additionally, the new Phase III Expansion Facility at the KU Innovation Park provides 66,000 square feet of lab, office and co-working facilities to support innovation-driven and technology-focused companies and entrepreneurs who will work on these types of discoveries. The expansion will house 250 new high-tech jobs.
