Hasselt, 18 February 2011 – The Limburg investment company LRM is buying the city of Hasselt’s shares in the Research Campus Hasselt (RCH). LRM will be developing the site into a high-tech office complex, to support its expansion and attract more technology firms.
Successful reconversion of Philips
When the Philips factories were closed at the end of 2002, the site was redeveloped and exploited by the city of Hasselt (via AGB), POM Limburg and LRM. The aim was to restore employment at this site following the closure of Philips. The initiative was marketed under the name Research Campus Hasselt. The main focus was to attract innovative and technology-based companies. Today, more than 2,000 people work at the Research Campus, compared to 1,450 people when Philips closed.
With this realization, the city of Hasselt has achieved its targets and is now prepared to sell its shares.
Mayor Hilde Claes explains: ‘Over the last few years, the Research Campus has developed into a growing and attractive location for innovative technology firms. As a city, we are very satisfied with the end result and feel that our work is done. By staying on the Board of Directors, we will be keeping an eye on things, but we now want to focus on supporting other interesting business sites in Hasselt.’
Attracting technology firms
The RCH has several excellent advantages for further development. It offers companies a flexible array of infrastructure. Technology firms can rent offices from 50m² to complete buildings with a floor space of more than 10,000m². Additional advantages are the location and the accessibility. The RCH is ideally located right in the middle of the knowledge triangle of Leuven-Aken-Eindhoven. The RCH is also easily accessible via the North-South line, the Hasselt/Kiewit train station and has its own bus stop.
With a view of the future, the RCH has an extra development potential of 50,000m2 floor space.
Stijn Bijnens, general director of LRM, explains: ‘The purchase of the Research Campus is perfectly in line with LRM’s strategy to expand a qualitative ICT cluster in Limburg. LRM distinguishes itself by offering both risk capital and infrastructure. If we succeed in developing the RCH into a technological hotspot, it will act as a magnet to young technology firms and grow even more. An extra advantage in the acquisition policy of Limburg...’
About LRM
LRM is a profit-oriented investor, offering entrepreneurs a unique combination of venture capital and real estate. Oxygen for growth!
LRM is a generalist, but has developed specific competencies in ICT, Life Sciences and Cleantech. LRM's activities contribute to the economic development and general employment in the province of Limburg. It targets all sectors and companies, from starting companies to growing SMEs and larger businesses.
Access to LRM runs via five domains: ICT & Media, Life Sciences, Cleantech & Energy, SMEs and Large Businesses.
www.lrm.be
For further information:
City of Hasselt
Mayor’s Office
T +32 11 23 90 21
E burgemeester@hasselt.be
LRM
Jeffrey Alenus
Commercial Director
T +32 11 24 68 19
M +32 475 93 03 61
E j.alenus@lrm.be