Member Article

Tech demand drives park expansion

Demand from science-based companies is driving a high tech business park to more than double its incubation space.

The North East Technology Park (NETPark), at Sedgefield, County Durham, will today receive the keys to an extension to its incubation space for high growth technology businesses, providing an additional 150% space for new ventures.

Demand for space in the NETPark Incubator has been so great that it has had to build the extension ahead of schedule.

The Incubator is already home to technology companies such as Kromek, which has developed digital X-ray and imaging technology to combat terrorism, and ROAR Particles, which uses nanotechnology to enhance fingerprint detection.

Stewart Watkins, managing director of County Durham Development Company, who manage NETPark, said: “The demand from businesses wanting to move onto NETPark has been incredible and reflects not only the quality and scope of its facilities and support, but also the encouraging number of science and technology companies in the region.

“These are just the kind of companies we need to encourage and nurture for a healthy economic future and NETPark does that, which makes it a major regional asset.’’

It is planned that the expansion will be available for new businesses next month, creating the potential for almost 200 jobs.

The development of NETPark is led by Durham County Council in partnership with Sedgefield Borough Council, One North East and Durham University.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .