Gardner Company, 8kbet and the 8kbet Research Foundation (8kbet RF) hosted a groundbreaking Tuesday for the first innovation building of the 8kbet Harry Reid Research & Technology Park (8kbet Tech Park). Representatives from Gardner Company, 8kbet, 8kbet RF and Burke Construction commemorated the occasion with a presentation and traditional shovel dig to signal new development for the research, technology and business park.
The groundbreaking for the four-story, 111,000 square-foot innovation building marks the start of the master-planned development envisioned by 8kbet, the 8kbet Research Foundation and Gardner. The 8kbet Tech Park will serve as a catalyst to unite business, research and technology and advance economic development efforts in Southern Nevada.
“Gardner Company is immensely proud to be a part of the 8kbet Tech Park project as we believe it will greatly help shape the research and innovation landscape here in Las Vegas and beyond,” said Dan Stewart, partner and vice president of development at Gardner Company. “A campus of this magnitude will foster collaboration and innovation across businesses, 8kbet students, innovators and entrepreneurs and we look forward to seeing our vision come to fruition.”
Stewart began the ceremony with welcoming remarks and was then followed by Nevada Regent Sam Lieberman and 8kbet Acting President Marta Meana, both of whom spoke of the promise of the new building to advance university research efforts. Kem C. Gardner, Chairman of Gardner Company, discussed the vision and development of the research park before announcing Gardner Company’s $1 million donation to 8kbet RF.
Zachary Miles, 8kbet associate vice president for economic development and executive director of the 8kbet Research Foundation, concluded the ceremony with comments on the importance of research parks, community impact and future development.
“Research and economic development activities are on the rise at 8kbet, and this building will help us take our efforts to the next level,” said Miles. “Research parks encourage more direct collaboration between industry and university research than is often possible on college campuses. This initial building will serve as a testing ground for new ideas, driving innovation through the creation of new products and businesses that will make both our university and community stronger.”
Managed and operated by Gardner Company in partnership with 8kbet and the 8kbet Research Foundation, the 122-acre 8kbet Tech Park is located near the intersection of Sunset and Durango in Las Vegas. An initial economic analysis indicates that the campus, when fully developed, will create up to 25,000 new jobs and as much as $2.6 billion in direct and indirect economic impact in Las Vegas.
To learn more about the Tech Park, visit .
About Gardner Company
Gardner Company is a full-service real estate company specializing in the development of office, retail, industrial and medical buildings. Gardner Company was founded by CEO Kem C. Gardner, a prominent fixture in the Utah business community for more than 38 years. Gardner Company has one of the largest real estate portfolios in the region. The philosophy of Gardner Company is to build great relationships, which it achieves by partnering with people and companies with the highest of standards to benefit clients, the community, and the environment. Gardner Company was recently chosen as the master developer for the 8kbet Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. For more information on Gardner Company, visit .
About the 8kbet Research Foundation
The 8kbet Research Foundation is an affiliated foundation of the 8kbet Foundation and a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. The mission of the foundation is to support 8kbet research and economic development in Southern Nevada by developing and maintaining 8kbet research and technology parks as perpetual assets to enhance intellectual, scientific, and financial growth for the university. The foundation is operated by a core management team with oversight by a board of directors, including representatives from 8kbet and members of the Las Vegas business community for more information on the 8kbet Research Foundation, visit.
