May 31, 2002 | KU Radio News Line

Audio



KU research helps Lawrence crack top 10 of Forbes magazine list


Contact: Frank Barthell, University Relations, (785) 864-8869.

Radio News Line text:
KU research helps Lawrence land in top 10 list for business and careers

LAWRENCE HAS CRACKED THE TOP 10 OF THE ANNUAL FORBES/MILKEN BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS LIST. THE LIST IS FEATURED IN THE MAY 27TH ONLINE ISSUE OF FORBES.

LAWRENCE RANKS NINTH OUT OF 96 CITIES SURVEYED IN THE "SMALL METRO AREAS" CATEGORY. THE MAGAZINE DEFINES SMALL METRO AREAS AS CITIES WITH POPULATIONS OF FEWER THAN 177-THOUSAND PEOPLE. USING THE LATEST GOVERNMENT DATA FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WAGE GROWTH AS WELL AS A MEASURE OF ACTIVITY IN CRITICAL HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES, LAWRENCE JUMPED FROM 19TH LAST YEAR TO NINTH THIS YEAR.

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, WAS AT THE TOP OF THE SMALL METRO AREAS LIST.

ROBERT BARNHILL, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR RESEARCH AND PRESIDENT OF K-U'S CENTER FOR RESEARCH, SAYS IT'S NO ACCIDENT THAT MOST OF THE SMALLER CITIES ON THE LIST HAVE A MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITY IN THEIR BACKYARD. HE SAYS THERE'S A CONNECTION BETWEEN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
Barnhill: "People have a hard time making a direct line connection between a vibrant public research university and economic development. On the other hand, every place that is developing well economically has such a university." (13 sec.)

IN FISCAL YEAR 2001, KU'S RESEARCH EXPENDITURES TOPPED 224-MILLION DOLLARS. ACCORDING TO A FORMULA PROVIDED BY THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, EVERY 1-MILLION DOLLARS IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUNDING CREATES ABOUT 40 JOBS IN THE STATE. BARNHILL SAYS THE INCREASE IN FUNDING BENEFITS K-U, LAWRENCE AND THE ENTIRE STATE.
Barnhill: "For our state, it's approximately 9-thousand jobs that come just as spin offs from research. Many of these, moreover, are high quality -- that is, higher-paying -- jobs." (9 sec.)

K-U'S JUMP IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES HASN'T HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT. BARNHILL SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO FOSTER A RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT.
Barnhill: "One is that research is much discussed. We have encouraged the faulty to work on larger proposals; 'larger' means collaborative. Another point is working on things that are cutting-edge topics, things like the life sciences." (16 sec.)

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