Gamble envisions "research corridor" along I-90 to boost state’s economy

Just as North Carolina’s economy got a shot in the arm from its "research triangle," Montana could get an economic boost by linking its university campuses along Interstate 90 to create a "research corridor."

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/09/26/news/02researchstrip.txt

Montana State University President Geoff Gamble suggested the idea at this week’s Board of Regents meeting in Butte.

MSU scientists and professors spent nearly $88 million in the past 12 month on research. Plus, they’ve just won a new $16.6 million federal biomedical research grant that will be shared with other state campuses and tribal colleges across the state, Gamble said.

If Montana can harness the combined research power of Butte, Billings, Missoula and Bozeman, Gamble said, "We can drive a new knowledge-based economy for the state.

"It’s a future vision," he said. "I think it’s attainable."

Each campus has different strengths that could complement one other, Gamble said. Over the next five to 10 years, they could work in partnerships, just as scientists from MSU and the University of Montana are collaborating on a Defense Department research project on using bees to sniff out unexploded mines.

Regents Chairman John Mercer said he liked the idea of finding something with "that kind of buzz." He suggested it might be called the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Regent Richard Roehm said the I-90 corridor could be a "research strip." He also noted what a contrast the state is seeing between the prosperity along I-90 and the plight of eastern Montana.

That was brought home dramatically by Dawson Community College President Terry Hetrick of Glendive, who told the regents that if current trends continue, in 30 years there may be no high school graduates in eastern Montana.

Dawson is working hard to offer courses like ranch and farm management that will boost the area’s economy, but the trends are frightening, Hetrick said.

But at MSU, the good news just keeps coming. Gamble said by Monday MSU hopes to announce the award of another major research grant for $10 million.

The regents also gave a green light for MSU to negotiating a joint venture deal with Zdye Inc., the kind of spin-off company that can result from research grants.

In this case, MSU chemistry professors Ed Dratz and Paul Grieco have developed technologies that may have commercial possibilities, by diagnosing and treating disease using fluorescent dyes.

MSU owns the patent, which it would license to Zdye. The two scientists would own shares in the company, and MSU would get a royalty on sales. Details of the deal still have to be negotiated and brought back for regents’ approval.

An MSU memo said that officials hope this will "set an example for other entrepreneurs from the university."

Gamble handed out a report on North Carolina’s research triangle, so-called because of the closeness of the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and private Duke University. The $560 million they attracted in research funds in 2002 generated more than $930 million in spending for the state’s economy, according to the consultant’s report.