Oxford-Lafayette EDF Finds New Home at Insight Park

Insight Park, the University of Mississippi's research park, is a natural fit for the foundation which leads regional economic development efforts and connects businesses with local, state and university resources, said William Nicholas, director of economic development and Insight Park.

"The EDF's move into Insight Park represents a pivotal step forward in aligning university expertise with local and regional economic development goals," Nicholas said. "By bringing the EDF, Office of Economic Development and Office of Technology Commercialization under one roof; we are creating new opportunities for collaboration with faculty, researchers, students and the broader community.

"This effort strengthens our shared commitment to innovation and business growth, allowing us to enhance our impact throughout the region."

Relocating the office to Insight Park will provide opportunities for collaboration, both for local businesses and the university, said Ryan Miller, the foundation's CEO.

"This is the first time that we have been co-located with the university," Miller said. "We have been collaborators for years, but being here in the same space is going to make us a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, researchers and students.

"I think this is going to yield great benefit for the university and the Oxford-Lafayette community."

By sharing space with the university's economic development team, the foundation can more effectively tap into innovations developed at Ole Miss to support job creation, industry recruitment and long-term community growth, Miller said.

"In Oxford and Lafayette County, there is no question that one of the driving factors to economic vitality in our community is the university, both in its growth of student population, but also in its research application and in its community outreach," Miller said.

"In my mind, if that's true of this community, then it would behoove the local EDF to be in lockstep with the university economic development team as well."

At the same time, the foundation can help students gain real-world experience, he said.

"This is where students can come and learn about what economic development is, what community development is and where the two intersect," Miller said. "Being on campus makes us a lot more accessible for students to participate in that way."

Ultimately, the goal of the university's economic development office and the EDF are similar: to build a thriving ecosystem that connects education, innovation and industry.

"We believe that the best investment we can make as a community is maximizing the chances that we're going to continue to have an economy that is healthy and growing," Miller said. "So, this move makes perfect sense."

Top: The Oxford-Lafayette Economic Development Foundation's move to the university's Insight Park is expected to provide opportunities for collaboration, both for local businesses and the university. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services