In Pilsen, the second science and technology park was completed for 225 million CZK

Plzeň - Plzeň today launched the second phase of the science and technology park (VTP). The costs of 225 million crowns will be covered three-quarters by European funding. Seven new buildings will start to be rented from June. They will have a usable area of 6,500 square meters, which is 1,500 square meters more than the first part of the park, which Plzeň opened in May 2008. Since then, it has been permanently filled to 98 percent with progressive companies with high added value. This was stated by Erich Beneš, head of the city's European project coordination department.
    "The competition among builders in the crisis will save the city and the EU about 75 million crowns," said economic deputy mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD). Initially, Plzeň estimated that it would spend 300 million Kč.
    According to Mayor Martin Baxa (ODS), the city significantly supports innovation and new technologies. At a time when catastrophic scenarios are being created for the economy of the Czech Republic and all of Europe, the VTP can become a driving force for growth in sectors with high added value and new technologies. According to Governor Milan Chovanec (ČSSD), competitive products that the Czech Republic needs very much should mainly be created in the VTP. Antonín Bulín, the treasurer of the University of West Bohemia (ZČU), added that the VTP will be closely linked with four research centers of the university worth three billion crowns that are starting to be built.
    "Contracts have been signed with companies for about 70 percent of the space, and negotiations are ongoing for the rest," said Beneš. ZČU and ČKD will rent one hall each, while the Research Center Řež will build an experimental hall at the VTP for researching new materials for energy.
    According to Zrzavecký, the city is now submitting an application for the third and final phase of the VTP worth 100 million crowns. This phase will be the smallest, with 1,650 square meters of space in two buildings and 100 parking spaces. "A decision on the subsidy should be made by autumn. The construction will be completed within a year," he added.
    The new buildings of the second phase mainly include laboratories, testing and development workshops, and offices for both established companies and emerging innovative firms. In the first phase, 22 companies from the knowledge economy sector are operating, employing about 200 people. After the second phase is filled, their number is expected to increase to at least 400.
    Rental prices and specialized services have not changed in the four years since the completion of the first phase of the VTP. The VTP, which is wholly owned by the city of Plzeň, does not aim to generate profit but must not incur losses. In the last two years, it has managed to maintain a balanced budget. "There is still a demand for these capacities, but they must be targeted at a specific segment," stated Beneš. Companies engaged in research, development, and innovation in the automotive industry, electronics, and software operate in the VTP.
    The main goal of the park is to keep existing students in the region, establish cooperation with the business sector, and commercialize research and development results. According to Martin Babuška from the CzechInvest agency, there are few successful parks like the one in Plzeň in the Czech Republic, mainly due to the close ties with the university and a number of the 42 companies operating in the neighboring Borská pole area.