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Draft:Tech Parks Arizona

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Tech Parks Arizona
Formation1994
FounderUniversity of Arizona
TypeResearch park operator
Location
Region served
Southern Arizona

Tech Parks Arizona is a university-affiliated research and technology organization in Tucson, Arizona, operated by the University of Arizona. Established in 1994, it manages two research parks — UA Tech Park at Rita Road and UA Tech Park at The Bridges — as well as the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) [1]. This business incubator network supports technology commercialization and regional economic development. In 2024, the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of growth as home to more than 100 companies employing over 6,000 workers and contributing $2 billion annually to the regional economy [2].

History

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Tech Parks Arizona was created in 1994 following the purchase of a former IBM campus by the University of Arizona. The site evolved into the UA Tech Park, a hub for technology development in Southern Arizona. IBM’s storage division has remained a tenant since the park’s founding, advancing magnetic tape storage technologies [3] .[4]. In that same year, the UA Tech Park marked its 30th year as a Tucson tech hub [5].

In 2010, Vail Academy and High School became the nation’s first K–12 institution located on a university research park, setting a national precedent for integrating education and innovation [6].

Role in the Space Shuttle Challenger investigation (1986)

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After the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, data recovery efforts took place at what is now the UA Tech Park at Rita Road. The site was then IBM’s Tucson Storage Division, a center for magnetic-tape and data storage research. NASA sent flight-recorder tapes recovered from the Atlantic Ocean to the IBM facility, where engineers conducted one of the most difficult data-recovery operations in history. In specialized cleanrooms, IBM scientists used chemical baths, custom machinery, and manual handling to separate and restore the saltwater-damaged tapes. Their work recovered most of the mission’s recorded data, including key telemetry that supported the federal investigation. The event demonstrated the Tucson facility’s engineering expertise and remains a key part of its technological legacy before becoming Tech Parks Arizona. [7]

Facilities

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UA Tech Park (Rita Road)

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Located in southeast Tucson, this 1,267-acre site includes office, lab, and research facilities, including dry and wet labs, as well as the Solar Zone.[8]

Solar Zone

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The Solar Zone is a multi-technology solar demonstration area at the UA Tech Park. Developed in partnership with Tucson Electric Power[9], it spans more than 200 acres and has a generation capacity of about 23 megawatts of power for research, testing, and commercialization of solar technologies [10]. The university and TEP have a long history of working together to expand educational opportunities and promote renewable energy [11].

UA Tech Park at The Bridges

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Situated near downtown Tucson, this 65-acre urban site supports high-tech growth. Vertical development began in 2020 [12], and the first corporate tenant, Raytheon, signed a lease at The Refinery in 2023 [13]. In December 2022, the University of Arizona opened the facility for balloon-borne astronomy experiments [14]. [15]

University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI)

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UACI is an incubator network that supports science and technology companies through a structured mentoring program and facilities across Southern Arizona and abroad.[16]

Tenants

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The University of Arizona Steward Observatory operates at the Park, contributing to groundbreaking research and engineering projects such as the Giant Magellan Telescope’s mirror support system [17].

International companies like MicroHybrid from Germany have expanded their U.S. presence at the Park, benefiting from its strong research and development infrastructure [18].

Through Tech Parks Arizona’s Global Advantage program, businesses operating in both the U.S. and overseas find an ideal launch point for cross-border collaboration [19] .

Texas-based semiconductor company Strike Photonics, Inc. selected the UA Tech Park for its Arizona expansion, enhancing the region’s high-tech ecosystem [20].

ProAutomation, a Hermosillo-based company, is expanding into the U.S. market through the Park’s Global Advantage program, further strengthening regional economic ties [21].

Dimensional Energy, another UA Tech Park tenant, develops carbon-neutral jet fuel inspired by photosynthesis—showcasing the Park’s commitment to sustainable technology [22].

The Park is also linked with the Sonoran Corridor, a key regional economic development initiative supporting advanced industry growth and cross-border trade [23].

References

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  1. ^ "About UACI". UACI.
  2. ^ Wittman, Romi. "Tech Parks Arizona Celebrates 30 Years". BizTucson.
  3. ^ Wichner, David. "The company renewed a long-term lease in 2024". Arizona Daily Star. Arizona Daily Star.
  4. ^ Jackson, Zachary. "UA Tech Park renews long-term lease with IBM". KVOA.
  5. ^ "UA Tech Parks mark 30th year as Tucson tech hub".
  6. ^ Blute, Victoria (26 February 2010). "UA Tech Park breaks ground on K-8 school". Inside Tucson Business.
  7. ^ Gardner, Tom. "IBM Tape History – Session 5: Recovery of tapes damaged in Challenger disaster Ric Bradshaw" (PDF). Computer History Museum.
  8. ^ "UA Tech Park Tucson | Top University Business Park".
  9. ^ "UASTP I". Tucson Electric Power.
  10. ^ "Tech Parks Arizona". IASP.
  11. ^ Froese, Michelle. "University of Arizona to fully power campus with wind, solar & storage". Windpower.
  12. ^ "UA to break ground on first tech park building". KOLD. KOLD.
  13. ^ Aguirre, Summer (10 March 2023). "The Bridges welcomes first corporate tenant to The Refinery". Inside Tucson Business.
  14. ^ "Mission Integration Lab". research.arizona.edu. University of Arizona.
  15. ^ Quinn, Destiny. "Mission Integration Lab opens at the University of Arizona Tech Park". KVOA. KVOA.
  16. ^ "University of Arizona Center for Innovation Startup Clients Generate $664.8M in Economic Output". AZBIO. 21 March 2025.
  17. ^ Stolte, Daniel. "Testing begins at U of A for Giant Magellan Telescope's high-tech mirror support structure". The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona.
  18. ^ Chau, Brooke. "German electronics company expands to UA Tech Park". KGUN9. KGUN9.
  19. ^ Kelly, Andrea. "UA Tech Park Connects Businesses from Tucson, U.S. and Overseas". Arizona Public Media. Arizona Public Media.
  20. ^ Edelen, Amy. "Texas-based semiconductor company plans expansion to Arizona". ABC15. Phoenix Business Journal.
  21. ^ Montoya, Nancy. "UA Tech Park 'Global Advantage' Attracts Hermosillo Company". Arizona Public Media. Arizona Public Media.
  22. ^ "Jet fuel inspired by photosynthesis". CNN. CNN.
  23. ^ "The Sonoran Corridor: A Regional Economic Catalyst". Pima County. Pima County Economic Development.
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Category:University of Arizona Category:Science and technology in Arizona Category:Business incubators of the United States Category:Economy of Tucson, Arizona


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