Valley Technology Park
 The Valley Technology Park (VTP) is a business innovation facility--a business incubator designed to encourage the development of new and emerging companies with technology-oriented products or services. I t includes individual offices, office clusters, and flexible technology or light manufacturing bays.
It is a true collaborative effort, involving the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), Minnesota Technology, the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED), and several other organizations affiliated with the University of Minnesota, the City of Crookston, Polk County, NW Area Foundation and regional businesses and industry.
UMC and VTP Add Value to Clients' Companies
 The location of VTP on the UMC campus and the proximity to partners like AURI, Minnesota Extension Services, and all partners of the park enable the sharing of resources on specific projects. In addition, VTP is linked to other service providers throughout the region and state to further support entrepreneurirrent UMC students who are state of the art thinkers with world class computer skills . Possibilities exist for internships with these students in a true win-win relationship: students gain real world experiences and clients gain a valuable employee resource.
 Services, Offices, and Points of Interest
- Office, laboratory, technology, and light manufacturing space
- Affordable rental rates including basic utilities
- Business planning and development assistance
- Conference room
- Shared secretarial and reception services
- Shared access to copier, fax, and other office equipment
- 24-hour security
- On-site postal and freight services
- One-on-one business counseling
- Ample, free parking
- Access to UMC campus facilities and services, including child care, library, audio/visual resources, conference facilities and cafeteria
- Counseling regarding business licensure regulatory compliance, tax requirements, reporting, and other business topics
- Referrals to technology, training and business seminars
History
Planning for what is now the Valley Technology Park began as early as the late 1980s. At that time the city of Crookston and UMC recognized that a collaboration between them and regional business and industry would be an important priority for economic development.
In December of 1994 the Regents of the University of Minnesota sold five acres of land adjacent to the UMC campus to the city for the purposes of creating a "business incubator park." Construction of the actual building began in late 1998, and the Valley Technology Park was opened for tenants on November 1, 1999.
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