Running for the marathon; not the sprint

Dec. 10, 2010  |  By: Lynn Parman  |  Category: Biosciences, Economic Development, KC Animal Health Corridor, Regional KC Business
Tags: incubators, marathon, National Bio and Agro Defense Facility, science parks, Stowers Institute, venture capital, wet labs

I am a runner.  I love everything about running.  The fresh air, clearing my head and listening to my favorite songs, seeing my neighbor’s latest enhancements to their house, keeping in shape, training for that next race and most of all:  race day excitement.  This past summer, I ran my first half marathon, Hospital Hill, and it was one of the high points of my life.

I certainly got a reality check a few months after the race when I started having pain in my right foot during my runs.  Needless to say, after doctor visits every two weeks, an MRI and many different treatments; the joint in my right foot is rebelling from the wear and tear of my daily runs and I need a big break from running.

My running setback reminds me of the starts and stops our regional life science community has faced over the years.  The Kansas City region clearly entered “the race” in early 2000 when the Stower’s Institute for Medical Research opened doors to a world-class 600,000 square foot medical research facility that would go on to attract 500+ top notch researchers that will cure diseases.  The KC Animal Health Corridor launched in 2006 and has resulted in 16 new or expanded companies creating 1,250 new jobs and over $60 million in new payroll including the attraction of the $650 million National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.  I could go on and on about many accomplishments in our life science sector particularly in the past ten years.

But there have been setbacks.  The economy is/was the biggest challenge of this decade.  A few years ago I was working with 25+ bioscience companies at any given time considering locations in our region.  When the economy weakened; it had the greatest impact on the smaller companies.  Many of the early stage companies that we were trying to recruit to the area needed to raise capital and it simply wasn’t available.  Within the last six months, activity has picked up.  This month alone, we opened up three projects that are looking to locate to the region.

I am certain there will be setbacks again in the bioscience sector but I am also certain that there will be successes.  We will succeed because we are putting in place the infrastructure for our future success; our future marathon.  Seven new wet lab incubators, two new science parks, attraction of venture capital to the region, pursuit of the NCI designation, National Bio and Agro Defense facility, etc., etc., etc.  The Kansas City bioscience sector is focused on the marathon not the short term sprints of our economy.

I will run again.  I’m confident.  I’m certain that I will get past this.  I will eventually be able to feel the excitement of that next race; but only if I am focused on the marathon; and not a sprint.