Kauai's development continues to grow, but this time it's in the shape of a Technology Center scheduled for completion by the end of 2018. Plans to break ground on the center are scheduled for 2017. This exciting new project from the Kauai Economic Development Board (KEDB), will provide a multipurpose creative technology facility for workforce training, a hub for film and music industry professionals, as well as an audio and video resource center for members of the community.
The County Council approved a license agreement for the facility to be built next to the War Memorial Convention Hall in April, and last month the Legislature appropriated $500,000 toward the center, said Alan Tang, president of Olomana Loomis ISC, a business consulting firm in Honolulu.
The Center has received an appropriated grant-in aid award of $500,000. It’s just the start to go towards the $20 million that is needed for the center. The goal of the center is to create and sustain creative technology based jobs as well as provide training and education programs that benefit the local community and residents. Last year, 30 percent of the crew members for film productions on the island were Kauai residents.
There will be classes, training, workshops and programs in film-making, animation, web development, robotics and other areas of the creative industries with many of the programs focused on training for film crew members. Kauai has a long history with the film industry and this center will help to strengthen the Kauai community and job market through it's education and training.