In 2006, Utah passed a state bill that created USTAR, the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, to invest in Utah university research technologies with the aim of commercializing them for the benefit of the state's overall economy. One concrete form this state support took was a $161 Million building fund, which, with a $40 Million contribution from the universities themselves, has lead to the construction of two large research facilities, one at Utah State University (Logan) and the other at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City): the Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building. The university donated the land (a caveat of the state funding), which lies strategically between the main campus and the health sciences campus. The Sorenson Legacy Foundation donated $15 Million to the project, lending the building the name of its famous (and generous) medical device inventor and entrepreneur founder, James Sorenson.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Biotechnology Research Building To Grow Utah Innovation Economy
