Gwinnett Daily Post

By Christy Smith

Staff Writer

christy.smith

@gwinnettdailypost.com

WINDER - In order to attract bioscientific and biotechnological industry to the Ga. Highway 316 corridor, the area needs more uniquely trained workers, said Dr. Mike Moye, Lanier Technical College president.

Members of the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority will discuss regional economic development initiatives and development of a bioscience park at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Winder Community Center.

The authority was formed in 2004 to explore ways to attract high-tech, high-paying industry to the Ga. 316 corridor. It is made up of business and government leaders from Barrow, Athens-Clarke, Gwinnett and Oconee counties.

Officials compare the future of the Ga. 316 connector to North Carolina's Research Triangle. The 39-mile Ga. 316 expressway links large research institutions at the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as technical colleges in Clarke, Barrow and Gwinnett counties.

Industry will grow where the skills it needs are readily available, Moye said. Those needed skills have not been identified in concrete terms, he said, but certain areas continue to be mentioned. Growing those educational programs is part of the authority's plan to attract bioscientific industry.

"We would not attempt to replicate anything Athens Tech or Gwinnett Tech are doing," Moye said. "Our intentions are the support programs like industrial maintenance, electronic technicians, the people who keep the plants running. We have a medical laboratory technology program that fits part of those needs."

SideBar: If You Go

' What: Quarterly meeting of the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority of Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett and Oconee counties

' When: 3 p.m. Wednesday

' Where: Winder Community Center, 113 E. Athens St., Winder