A HEYDAY FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY - THE EXPANSION OF THE VILLACH TECHNOLOGY PARK

For more than 20 years, the tpv Villach Technology Park has been the center of high technology in Carinthia with high economic importance, where innovations become reality. The location is currently experiencing a strong phase of growth. With plans for extensive expansions and investments up to several million euros, the future prospects are promising.

EXPANSION OF THE HIGH TECH CAMPUS VILLACH

The High Tech Campus (HTC) is an integral part of the tpv Technology Park in Villach and focuses on Electronic Based Systems (EBS) such as microprocessors and sensor technology. At the moment, the HTC comprises two buildings, including Austria's largest research clean room, which will officially open in mid-October 2023. The demand for space at the HTC is enormous. Therefore, the city of Villach is planning the construction of three more buildings at a cost of 200 million euros. The current space at the HTC is no longer sufficient to cope with the large number of companies that would like to locate there. The expansion will make it possible to meet this demand and promote further growth.

Recently, the City of Villach was able to acquire a "development area" from the Haselsteiner Private Foundation for 3.6 million euros, which will now become part of the tpv Technology Park. The technology company Wild has already acquired 20,000 square metres of this area of around ten hectares. The proximity to renowned institutions such as the Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) research centre, the GPS training centre and the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences creates an ideal environment for companies like Wild to drive their innovations. After the start-up of a plant of the measurement technology company T.I.P.S., the expansion plans at tpv now also include the expansion of the off-site GPS training workshop and the opening of a public research kindergarten in 2024.

To support the planned expansions, the city of Villach is preparing a new zoning and development plan based on green, efficient and higher standards. The new HTC buildings are to be between five and six storeys high. A park, a multi-storey car park, and a canteen are also planned. In addition, other areas are still available for future business settlements.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE REGIONAL ECONOMY 

Although the expansion plans of the tpv Villach Technology Park are promising, the federal government's approval for financial support is currently still missing. The federal government is half owner of the Carinthian Business Settlement and Participation Association Babeg and thus approval from the Ministry of Climate Protection is required to fully implement the projects. A quick decision is required, as the expansion of the tpv Technology Park has far-reaching effects on the regional economy and has Austria-wide relevance. The creation of new jobs and the settlement of high-tech companies strengthen Carinthia's competitiveness in the national and international context. The close cooperation between companies, educational and research institutions promotes knowledge transfer and enables innovative projects. 

These developments contribute to Carinthia becoming an even more attractive location for technology-based companies and to the sustainable growth of the economy.

The federal government's approval of the expansion plans for the tpv Villach Technology Park thus remains a decisive step for the implementation of these visionary projects. Those responsible in Carinthia are pinning their hopes on the fact that the financial support will soon be approved in order to further advance the technological development and economic dynamism of the region.