Federal official: Kaua’i high-tech has bright future

LIHU’E – A U.S. Department of Commerce official thinks future high-technology growth on Kaua’i may not necessarily be linked to the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on the Westside.

While Dr. David Sampson, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, does see future growth here for companies doing business at PMRF, he sees potential for “broader commercialization strategies” away from the base as well, he said.

“You’ve got some world-class companies that have offices” at the first two phases of the West Kaua’i Technology & Visitors Center in Waimea, and growth potential that could eventually see “corporate facilities” established on the island focusing on those broader commercialization strategies, Sampson said yesterday.

He hinted that, while talks are only in the preliminary stages, federal funds could likely be available for construction of a third phase of the technology center.

The department’s Economic Development Administration put up millions of dollars for the first two phases of the technology center, and Sampson was here among other purposes to check out the end results.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” he said of the existing technology center, after meeting with representatives of various high-tech companies at the center yesterday.

“With strong linkages with the Pacific Missile Range Facility, this is a great example of building on assets you already have,” said Sampson. “That presence here (PMRF) is a real magnet for attracting the companies into the tech center.”

Obviously, there is room for corporate growth for research and development and commercialization in support of PMRF, but perhaps broader commercialization opportunities away from the base as well, he reiterated.

While on Kaua’i, he met with Capt. Jeff Connelly, PMRF commanding officer, who spoke about future plans for the base and how those plans will act to attract more high-tech businesses to the island, Sampson said.

That’s important as his department looks at future funding possibilities, he said.

“All economic growth has to take place at the state and local level,” said Sampson, adding that Pres. George Bush is working hard to get his job- and economic-growth package.

Sampson’s focus is on improving economic growth at the local level. Toward that end, he also met yesterday with Mayor Bryan Baptiste, where Sampson learned of ideas Baptiste has for economic growth that could qualify for federal grants.

While in the state to deliver some $6 million in grant checks to various governmental and private agencies, and visit partners his department has given federal funds to, Sampson also toured the Hanalei River area, and learned firsthand of the Hanalei Heritage River initiative.

President George W. Bush signed an executive order in March encouraging preservation of the nation’s heritage, historic areas and properties. Such preservation can help local economics, he noted.

“Historical and preservation tourism can be a key economic driver nationally, and in Hawai’i,” he said. There are opportunities here for potential grants and other federal funding and support for heritage tourism, he added.

While on O’ahu, he presented Gov. Linda Lingle a check for $100,000, to go to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, for the administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s economy.

The funds are given for diversification “not to the detriment of tourism and defense,” but for the economic good that comes as a result of such diversification, he said.

He came away from a discussion with members of the Economic Development Roundtable, made up of business and government leaders from across the state, “impressed with the leadership in economic development in the state,” he said.

He also learned of opportunities awaiting and challenges facing champions of commerce in the state, he said.

Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).