Technology Park
I made a suggestion concerning the Stumulus Program back in April 2009. The suggestion was to use money from the Stimulus to fund the building of a High-Tech Park where new technology skills could be learned and used. I have since prepared a comprehensive business plan for the project.
Quite simply, the objectives of the AS-TechPark will be:
1. To provide a campus where people can develop their skills, where small companies can start operations at a reasonable rental rate and where larger technology based companies can be housed.
2. To provide a marketable resource to help the territory sell "doing business in American Samoa" to overseas companies interested in locating here.
3. To provide support services to all students and businesses in the park.
The concept is designed to help transition the territory's workforce from labor intensive to intellectual services orientation while, at the same time, providing new businesses a place where they can start and where support is available. I can't think of a better way to prepare American Samoa for the new challenges ahead.
The purpose of this post is to solicit your input on the subject. We need a great deal of support to push the plan through and get the funding. But, I also need professional assistance with planning and implementation of the project.
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Technology Park
Hello John,
This is BillH (Bill Hopkins) an architect from Raleigh, NC, USA. I have been involved with a few technology parks and business incubators during my 40 year architectural career. Your suggestion/proposal is perfect for Am.Sam. Wish I were there to assit. My lawyer/architect bride has the idea to apply for some sort of legal position there, but it is easily two years away. I will probably retire from my practice partnership at that time. But I have too much energy to 'quit' the profession and will be looking for an opportunity to 'give back' somewhere. You just never know about these things.
The 'Technology Park' would be an excellent use of Stimulus funds if the Dems would send some your way. We have an incredible one here known as The Research Triangle Park, with many multi-national corps doing research, design and production here. I well remember Raleigh in 1964 as a town of 90,000. Because of the 'Park' it has grown to a metro area of 500,000. Apples and oranges for sure, but you are on the right pursuit. Best success to you and your fellow supporters. Regards, Bill Hopkins
Thanks
Bill,
Thanks for your kind comments. If you ever decide to come here, please let me know. We need people like you and your wife and I will be happy to help with your planning.
John
Interesting Subject Matter
The conversation here has been intriguing to say the least. A technology business park can be a major profit center for any society. I grew up in the bay area near many of the headquarters of Fortune 500 tech companies. I saw firsthand what it can do for a community. :)
With all due respect, this
With all due respect, this isn't a plan. Who are you going to train when you have a school system that isn't even prepared to teach technology in the classrooms? This may work in the states where you have a workforce that is willilng and able to be trained in this field. In American Samoa when the average person is less than ready with computer literacy skills, it just won't fly without a major reform of our educational system.
Maybe.. But then again
What if you have students which are very enthusiastic about the subject. And since technology is readily available this would give them more oppurtunity be more productive. Same as with companies that are planning to implement automation into their existing system. This will give them the option to test if their planned move would be feasible or not
That does sound like a great
That does sound like a great plan hopefully it works.
I totally agree with you and
I totally agree with you and it sounds like it would be very interesting.
Its possible but costly
It sounds like a great theoretical idea, and though the funding could most likely get a few started, the long term funding to keep these programs opperating, up to date, repair problems, would cost a great deal and would be a big ding on getting this option implemented. Eventually we can enjoy these types of tools, however, for the money, there are other problems that most likely will be assesed first.
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