Tucson, Flagstaff cited in national Battelle bio study

February 27, 2007

By hammersmith

A new Battelle report, “Growing the Nation’s Biotech Sector: A Regional Perspective,” names Flagstaff and Tucson among national metro areas with an employment concentration within the biosciences.

Tucson was cited as a large metropolitan area emerging in the area of research, testing, and medical laboratories, while Flagstaff ranked third among small metropolitan areas up-and-coming in the area of medical device manufacturing.

Flagstaff was also one of seven metropolitan regions profiled for carving a specific niche in the bioscience industry.

Battelle analyzed Flagstaff’s success in medical device manufacturing, listing W.L. Gore’s medical product facility, Northern Arizona University’s science programs, and medical device start-up Machine Solutions Inc. as major factors.

Among Flagstaff’s recent successes, the report cited Gore’s expansion and a planned multi-tenant science park near the NAU campus.

The report was compiled by Battelle for Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the nation’s biotechnology advocacy organization.


For more information:

BIO/Battelle report quantifies bioscience industry contribution to regional economic growth throughout the U.S.,” Business Wire, 01/29/2007

Growing the Nation’s Biotech Sector: A Regional Perspective.,” Battelle, 01/2007