This center is significant because it is involved in research that will be critical for local startups. These businesses will try to make progress in the automotive sector, and may want to use printing services in Tigard to help promote their new ideas.
Matt Jones, a JLR executive at the Portland unit, has been clear about what he wants, explaining:
“I don't need an automotive engineer to work out what people will want to do in 2017. I need people, people who are creative."
Jones migrated to the USA from the UK about two years ago. He has a definite view of what he believes to work, and has particularly championed the use of role play.
The core notion behind the project is that partnerships with small groups of creative individuals can generate new concepts that are possibly more lucrative than entering into formal arrangements.
The tech community of Portland is not immediately associated with work on cars, but this pattern could change, particularly as the sector is undergoing quite rapid growth. It is not known for being a home of major tech firms, but some of the big players have facilities here and this may enable recruitment later.