Wednesday, January 26, 2011

UMass Dartmouth’s biomanufacturing plant approved in Fall River

By Michelle Lang

A $23 million biomanufacturing plant, linked with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and planned for Fall River, has been approved by Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration.

The 22,000-square-foot facility will house early-stage life sciences companies, which after landing investments, are encouraged to “expand on abbuting land set aside for a bio-park,” according to a news release today. The facility itself will span four acres of city-donated land, while 150 acres will be held for potential expansion. The state is building an exit ramp off Route 24 to direct cars into the bio-park.

Massachusetts will provide a $15 million grant, through its MassWorks Infrastructure grant program, and UMass Dartmouth will cover the remaining $8 million. About 8,000 new jobs are expected to be added to the South Coast area with the development of the bio-manufacturing facility.

UMass Dartmouth, per the news release, is planning to create educational programs within its Charlton College of Busines and College of Engineering, to coincide with the new facility. It already has a newly created bio-engineering program.

The Fall River site was the focus of controversy last year when the city proposed that the Wampanoag Indian tribe locate a casino there. However, last week city officials pulled that offer from the table and restored the biopark proposal.

In May, New Bedford pitched its city as a possible location for the biomanufacturing facility.