Camas Sharp property remains on the market

An East Coast company is interested in locating in the former Sharp Laboratories of America building.

The 55,000-square foot, two-story structure at 5750 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd., is available to purchase or lease.

Paul Dennis, president and chief executive officer of the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association, mentioned the interest during a CWEDA board meeting Thursday.

The real estate listing, by Norris, Beggs & Simpson, mentions a sale price of $8.3 million and a lease rate of $12 per square foot.

Karamy Muessig, a spokesman for Sharp, said the former laboratories building has been on the market for approximately seven months.

“The majority of employees who worked at the SLA site in Camas moved next door to the Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas building,” she said.

The SMA facility is located at 5700 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd.

The third floor has been renovated, which enabled both companies to operate in one building. There is a total of 150 workers.

Sharp Laboratories of America employees conduct research and development for digital and audio/video systems, as well as digital imaging, multi-media communications, integrated circuits and liquid crystal display process technologies. SLA is a subsidiary of Sharp Laboratories.

Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas employees are involved in the sales and marketing of integrated circuits, liquid crystal displays, optoelectronics and radio frequency and infrared devices. SMA is a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation.

Property is in Innovation Partnership Zone

The former Sharp Laboratories of America building is located within the Vancouver Innovation Partnership Zone.

In October 2013, the city was awarded its first state IPZ designation for digital technology growth.

The four-year designation by the Washington Department of Commerce is expected to boost the region’s ability to grow a knowledge-based economy and enhance jobs and business opportunities in emerging digital industries.

It was awarded to a public/private partnership of research, workforce training, private sector, governments and nonprofit agencies working together, led by the Vancouver Community and Economic Development Department.

Partner agencies include Camas, CWEDA, Washington State University-Vancouver, Clark College, the Columbia River Economic Development Council, the Southwest Workforce Development Council, Wacom Technology Corporation and Woobox.

The IPZ designation is expected to open access to new grants, build local programs and utilize existing technologies in new ways.

The “Digital Technology Accelerator” program is designed to attract new employers to downtown Vancouver and the 192nd Avenue corridor at state Route 14.