Facts
UA Tech Park at Rita Road at a Glance
The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park (UA Tech Park at Rita Road) is one of the nation’s premier university research parks. It is a dynamic community where innovators and business leaders meet and where emerging companies and technology giants work side by side.
The UA Tech Park is directed by Tech Parks Arizona which creates the “Interactive Ground,” that connects the University, community, and industry in pursuit of technology innovation and commercialization. The park links cutting-edge technology companies with the resources of the University of Arizona, creating an environment in which companies innovate, grow and succeed.
Location
- The UA Tech Park is strategically located in one of the fastest-growing regions in Tucson and Pima County.
- Pima County population: 1,062,384 (estimate for 2023)
- Tucson population: 546,019 (estimate for 2023)
- On Interstate 10 with two off-ramps - Rita and Kolb Road Exits
- Centrally located
- 20 minutes to downtown Tucson
- 20 minutes to University of Arizona main campus
- 12 minutes to Tucson International Airport
- Within the Vail School District, one of the state's top-performing school districts
Site
The spacious site offers companies room to develop.
- 1,267 acres
- Over 100 companies and organizations including IBM, Citi, Raytheon and Applied Energetic
- 6,000 knowledge workers
- 2 million square feet of office, laboratory, and production space
- Common areas, multi-use paths, and corporate fitness center
The University of Arizona
Tech Parks Arizona is an integral component of the University of Arizona, a top-ranked research university.
- Top 20 public research institutions
- Hispanic Serving Institution
- Ranked #6 in NASA Funding
- Annual research expenditures: $824 million
- Total students 36,503 (undergraduate); 10,429 (graduate students)
- The student to faculty ratio is 15:1
- Number of academic programs: 300+
UA Tech Park at Rita Road Governance and Management
- The UA Tech Park is owned by the Arizona Board of Regents
- The Tech Parks Arizona experience team directs and operates the property on behalf of the University of Arizona
- Tech Parks Arizona operates and manages the UA Tech Park at Rita Road, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation
- Campus Research Corporation, an Arizona 501(c)3 non-profit corporation was established to assist the University of Arizona in developing, operating, leasing, and promoting the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and the UA Tech Park at The Bridges.
Economic Impact
The UA Tech Park is a significant driver of the regional economy.
- The UA Tech Park is one of the region's major employment centers
- Park tenants contribute $2 billion annually to the regional economy
- The park generates $52.8 million annually in state and local taxes
- The average wage is $66,900 which is significantly more than Pima County's average wage
Key Elements at the UA Tech Park at Rita Road
Support for innovation and education are central to the Park's mission.
- Solar Zone at the Tech Park--one of the largest multi-technology grid-level solar testing and demonstration facilities in the world; 10 companies generating 23 MW of power on 173 acres
- The UA Center for Innovation--an innovation center, helping entrepreneurs, startups, and emerging companies transform their ideas into successful business ventures
- UA South--a branch campus of the University of Arizona
- Vail Academy and High School--a technology-focused K-12 school in the Vail School District
- Planning is underway to build a regional YMCA on-site
Technology Focus
Tech Parks Arizona recruits companies in technology sectors that reflect the research strengths of the University of Arizona as well as local industry sectors.
- Renewable energy
- Arid lands agriculture and water resource management
- Health and biosciences
- Space, defense and aerospace
- Intelligent transportation systems and smart vehicles
- Sustainable mining
- Cross-cutting sectors of informatics, sustainability, and optics
Product Development
Tech Parks Arizona assists technology companies in developing and commercializing their products through all stages of development.
- Research and development
- Proof of concept
- Prototype
- Testing and evaluation
- Demonstration
- First-generation manufacturing
Park Capabilities and Amenities
UA Tech Park supports business needs and employee experiences.
- Dual feed electrical system
- On-site wells and water storage system
- Fire and emergency services provided by Rural Metro Corporation
- A zero-discharge facility--on-site wastewater treatment and reuse
- Corporate fitness center
- Conference and meeting facilities
- Multi-internet service providers
- Access to Julian Wash Greenway, a three-mile, 65-acre linear park with the multi-use path, exercise stations, and interpretive nodes
- On-site Café Zona
Park Planning and Development
The UA Tech Park is a master-planned, mixed-use development.
- The western half of UA Tech Park at Rita Road is located in the City of Tucson; the eastern half of Park is in unincorporated Pima County
- Planning and development activities governed by the Tech Park Development Use Plan
- Design and construction of facilities are governed by the Tech Park Design and Development Standards and subject to review by the Tech Park Arizona Design Review Committee
- Portions of the Tech Park lie under the flight path of Davis-Monthan Air Force and are subject to development restrictions.
- Planning principles include developing the park as an integrated, multi-use "community of innovation" with live, learn, work and play components.
Interested in learning more about the UA Tech Park?
Contact us at (520) 621-4088 or info@uatechpark.org
