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: 1,010,025
  • Tucson population: 531,641
  • On Interstate 10 with two off-ramps - Rita and Kolb Road Exits
  • 41,042 residents within a five-mile radius of the Park

• Centrally located
  • 15 minutes to downtown
  • 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

• In the Tucson Tech Corridor (70 companies located from Wilmot Road to Houghton Road along I-10)

Site

The spacious site offers companies room to develop.

• 1,267 acres
• Over 40 companies and organizations including IBM, Citi, Raytheon and United Health Group/OptumRx
• 6,000 employees
• 2 million square feet of office, laboratory, and production space
• Common areas, multi-use paths, and recreation facilities

The University of Arizona

The UA Tech Park at Rita Road is an integral component of the University of Arizona, a top-ranked research university. Tech Parks Arizona is part of Tech Launch Arizona, the UA’s office that commercializes inventions stemming from University research.

• Ranked 21st in research and development expenditures among public universities
• Annual gifts and grants (FY 2014): 548,606,531
• Annual research expenditures (FY 2015): $606,000,000
• Total students (2015-2016): 43,088; 7,817 graduate students
• Number of academic programs (2015-2016): 366
• Degrees awarded: 9,440
• Undergraduate degrees: 6,745
• Graduate and professional degrees: 2,284

UA Tech Park at Rita Road Governance and Management

The Tech Park team is experienced in operation quality facilities for high tech companies.

• Tech Park is owned by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona and is operated by Tech Parks Arizona
• Tech Parks Arizona  operates and manages the UA Tech Park at Rita and the UA Tech Park at The Bridges (36th Street and Kino Parkway)
• Campus Research Corporation, an Arizona 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, assists 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 Park is one of the region's largest employment centers
• Park tenants contribute $1.7 billion annually to the regional economy
• The park generates $50 million annually in state and local taxes
• The average wage is $74,028 which is significantly more than Pima County's average wage rate of $47,327.

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.

• Advanced energy
• Arid lands agriculture and water
• Health and Biosciences
• Defense and security
• Intelligent transportation systems and smart vehicles
• Sustainable mining
• Cross-cutting sectors of informatics, sustainability, and imaging

Product Development

Tech Parks Arizona and the UA Tech Park at Rita Road assist 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
• Recreational center, including the softball/soccer field. basketball court, tennis court, and locker rooms
• Health and wellness program
• 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 Master Land 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