TheVoyager.net

Downtown Technology Campus Groundbreaking CeremonyBy Sara M. Surber Contributing Writer

Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 12:02

Sara M. Surber

Sara M. Surber

The Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) officially broke ground on the Downtown

Technology Campus on Wednesday during a special ceremony including elected officials and chamber board

members.

"Today's an exciting day for the PEDC, it's a day we see thing happen to help other businesses in the Pensacola Bay

Area to grow and succeed," said PEDC Chairman Lewis Bear, Jr.

The Downtown Technology Campus between Florida Blanca and Chase streets can house buildings 15,000 square

feet and up, accommodating up to 1,000 employees after full build-out. The urban campus will provide high-tech

companies with shovel-ready sites with a high-speed technology infrastructure; creative environment with like-minded

tenants; walking distance to downtown Pensacola businesses and entertainment venues; and easy access to I-110.

"I want to thank our staff for putting up with me and Judy Bense for helping us with the archeological aspects of the

project," said Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Charles Wood.

"What started as a drawing on a scratch sheet of paper a few years ago has come to fruition today," said Kevin

White, chairman of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. "The city, the county and the chamber

have closely collaborated on this project, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

The project is a partnership between PEDC, Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the Pensacola Bay Area

Chamber of Commerce.

"With the groundbreaking of the new tech campus, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is taking a giant

step forward in putting our area in a strong competitive position to be able to recruit new businesses to our

community and create jobs," added City of Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. "I'm hopeful about the future of this

project and the future of our city."

The city and the county contributed 9.2 acres of property for the project. The county and the U.S. Economic

Development Administration will fund the on-site infrastructure. The chamber has already started marketing the

campus to potential employers.