By Karen Robes Meeks
Work has officially begun on the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.
Civic and maritime officials gathered December 11 to kick off the construction of the incubator, considered a key part of AltaSea’s ocean innovation campus.
“The ocean is a frontier for new discoveries that can transform how we live, help us better understand our planet, and create green jobs that can drive our economic future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This new campus will be a place where scientists, educators, policy makers, and entrepreneurs can work together to accelerate marine research that will set an example for the world to follow.”
Businessman and philanthropist Morton La Kretz is funding the incubator and has supported the La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown Los Angeles. The downtown-based Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator will have a hand in operating the Blue Economy Incubator.
“I strongly share AltaSea’s vision to create the infrastructure of science, education and business incubation that will help the Los Angeles region thrive in a fast-changing future,” said La Kretz. “The La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator will find and support entrepreneurs developing aquaculture, undersea mapping and other businesses vital to understanding the largely unexplored frontier at our doorstep.”
