Dixon Hopes To Get New Jobs From UC Davis
DIXON, Calif. (CBS13) -- UC Davis is hoping to turn the fruits of its research into commercial gain and new jobs for the region, and the neighboring community of Dixon wants to be their first choice for a research hub.
The university's plan, called IHUB, concentrates the academic scientific innovation with business know-how, and shares new technology with businesses who can create new jobs in the area.
"The objective here is to really get the research out to where it can get the best, do the most good for the local economy," said UC Davis spokesman Karl Mohr.
Dixon city leaders have promoted the large amount of land around town, including a recently vacated Kragen Auto Parts warehouse with 325,000 square feet of available space, as an attractive home base for the idea.
"This is the future of industrial development," said Dixon economic development director Mark Heckey. "It will spin off new companies, those companies will begin to grow and those companies will expand here and we'll start creating new jobs."
UC Davis students have been working on ideas in fields like nanotechnology and clean energy, which could one day be worth millions and save lives.
"Who knows what the next big thing might be," Mohr said.
Commercializing the ideas could mean a much-needed source of income for the university as it copes with crippling budget cuts.
University officials will begin picking their top proposals after IHUB stops soliciting ideas on March 31.
