What if I told you that this very ground beneath our feet is a hub of innovation? Welcome to the University of Utah Research Park. It is also known as Bionic Valley. This park isn’t just a collection of buildings. It is a place where ideas take flight. It is a place where research transforms into reality.
In 1968, the Utah State Legislature had a vision. They allocated 320 acres for a research park. Their goal was simple. They wanted to stimulate economic development. They wanted to encourage University of Utah graduates to stay in Salt Lake City. The U of U Research Park was born to provide research jobs.
This park has a rich history. It’s been a catalyst for countless businesses. These businesses are all based on the groundbreaking work of university scientists. Today, the U of U Research Park houses more than forty companies. It also hosts sixty-nine academic departments. More than 7,500 people work here. The annual in-state productivity of park residents exceeds $550 million.
The U of U Research Park became known as “Bionic Valley” in 1982. This was when the Jarvik 7 artificial heart made headlines. The successful implantation drew international attention. The artificial organ and medical device research at the University of Utah was booming. Science Digest and the New York Times gave Salt Lake City its nickname. They called it the epicenter of bioengineering. This bioengineering promised to shake up the entire health-care system.
Many notable companies have called the U of U Research Park home. ARUP Laboratories once resided here. NPS Pharmaceuticals had a spot here too. bioMérieux also called this place home. Myriad Genetics was another resident. Predictive Biotech had its place here as well. Echelon Research Laboratories was here. The University of Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine also resides here. Even the Utah Poison Control Center is located here. Rockwell Collins was a resident here as well. Huntsman Chemical Corporation was here. So was the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Wasatch Advisors once called this place home. Cross Creek Capital had a location here. Navigen Pharmaceuticals was here. Recursion Pharmaceuticals once called this place home. Williams Companies had a spot here. So did Blackrock Microsystems. Actavis was another resident of the park. Verum TCS, LLC was located here. SWSA Medical Ventures, LLC had a spot here. Protherics was here. Alucent Biomedical was here as well.
The University of Utah Research Park is dedicated to sustainability. It is also dedicated to new technology. But early on it had some challenges. The park faced commercial irrigation system issues. These issues led to irresponsible water usage. They also increased costs unnecessarily. In fact, they were paying 200% more for water than they should have. Sprinkler heads and water lines often broke. Main lines broke too. This caused massive water loss. There was no system to report these issues. The property manager often didn’t notice them for some time.
Smart Rain offered a solution. It offered advanced commercial smart irrigation technology. A partnership with the University of Utah Research Park was formed. Smart Rain installed its smart irrigation controller and sensors. These systems replaced the faulty irrigation. High-quality sprinklers were put in place. A transparent look into water usage was created. Smart Rain’s system could identify breaks or emergencies. It would shut down and notify the property manager quickly. This system decreased water waste and lowered water bills.
The University of Utah Research Park’s investment paid off. It paid for itself within the first season. Smart Rain now covers 55 acres of the Research Park. The Research Park has saved 25 million gallons of water. It has also saved $120,000 on water bills. These savings align with the park’s water conservation goals. They also align with its water budget.
As we stand here at the University of Utah Research Park remember its vision. It is an opportunity community. It delivers a unique identity. It fosters creativity. It encourages cross-pollination among innovators. It creates a strong sense of place. The U of U Research Park continues to be a place where the future is being written.