NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $1.5 million in federal funds for the development of the University Heights Science Park in Newark and the city’s high-tech sector.

    “This funding brings us a step closer to realizing the full potential of the University Heights Science Park in Newark,” Sen. Lautenberg said.  “We must continue to support the development of Newark with grants like these that foster scientific advancement, create high-tech jobs and strengthen our largest city’s economy.”

    “From the days of Thomas Edison, our state has been a leader in scientific achievement, and we want to keep it that way in this 21st Century economy,” said Sen. Menendez.  “By supporting the University Heights Science Park with this federal funding, we can promote the science that will drive our economy, create good-paying jobs and help the world.”

    The $1.5 million grant, administered by the Economic Development Administration, will go towards the heating and air conditioning of the Digital Century Center in the Science Park.  The project is expected to create more than 100 jobs and bring in more than $20 million in private investment.

    The new Digital Century building will become the heart of the Science Park.  It will house laboratory and educational space, as well as highly advanced technology companies.

    The Science Park, which opened in 1996, is set up for science and technology research and development.  The Science Park is a collaboration between Newark, private companies and four public institutions of higher learning: Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Essex County College.

# # #