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Abstract
The private sector can create unique institutions that help to achieve industrial and economic goals. To demonstrate this growth model, the Houston Advanced Research Centre (HARC) was created as a private non-profit organization, part of a new town development north of Houston, Texas. Over its 17-year history, HARC has successfully linked university, industry and governmental research in this framework. During this time, four strategies have been tested: large or sensitive R&D projects, strong links with member universities, efforts to bring technology to the marketplace, and policy analysis and advice. Of these, the latter three are today's successes as HARC has become a more responsive, service-oriented organization. Also, sustainable development has emerged as a unifying theme, reflecting part of the organization's initial legacy from its founder, George P. Mitchell. The Woodlands has grown around HARC as a place to live for over 50,000 people, a growing job base, and realization of the initial "research forest" concept with more than 100 firms and 4,500 employees.