"The São Miguel Science and Technology Park " will play a fundamental role in transforming the thought  of businesspeople, researchers and citizens to achieve a new level of economic and social development," said José Contente today. The government official expects that "the knowledge system based on science and technology as well as a cultured intended to promote competitiveness in a global world be the main goals of the technology park."

The Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures spoke at the signing ceremony of the contract for the construction of the 2nd phase of São Miguel Technological Park, Nonagon.

"This infrastructure will show the actual advantages of "spin-off," networking and connectivity, research and development in business context as well as the many areas of entrepreneurship in the enhancement of business competitiveness.

But, this is also a space where the network of knowledge, technology and innovation will have a global scope (global players) in order to promote healthy businesses with the creation of companies, joint ventures and other advantageous strategic partnerships," added the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures.

The São Miguel Technological Park represents  an investment of 9 million Euros whose contract work was awarded to a consortium formed by companies Marques, S.A.; Somague - Ediçor - Engenharia S.A. and Tecnovia Açores. The works have a completion period of 400 days.

The intervention area of the NONAGON project covers a 21,150 m2 area. The four main buildings will cover a construction area above the ground of about 17,830 m2: the Azores Science, Technology and Innovation Centre where the "Disaster Recovery Centre" will be installed; the Monitoring and Alert Technologies Centre; the Information and Communication Technologies Business Centre for companies and R&D (research and development) entities; and the Training and Technological Development Centre. The latter is composed by a conference and exhibition centre with capacity for 400 people and with the possibility simultaneous translation up to 8 languages. The centre also features several spaces that may be used for various purposes, from conference room, to meeting rooms and exhibition areas.

The contract work also includes the construction of an outdoor space for public use, designated as "Praça," which will be located south of the building with an area of 4540 m2. The building will be used for the organisation of event on a regular base. Furthermore, a car park for 148 vehicles will be built within the plant area of "Praça."