History
Everything began in October 1997 when, following the efforts of the representatives of Kraków municipal authorities and the local economic and scientific circles, the special economic zone was established. A few weeks later, in December 1997, a commercial company under the name of Centrum Zaawansowanych Technologii (i.e. Centre for Advanced Technologies) was launched. A few weeks later, in December 1997, it was established by the initiators of the special economic zone: the Municipality of Kraków, the Jagiellonian University, Kraków Technical University (PK), the AGH University of Science and Technology, Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks (HTS), and the State Treasury represented by the Governor (Voivode). The Centre for Advanced Technologies, which in January 2004, changed its name to Krakowski Park Technologiczny sp. z o.o. (Kraków Technology Park, KTP), manages the zone on the power of contracts signed with owners of individual estates.
Until August 2001, the special economic zone covered 80.25 ha (198.3 acres) of land for investment situated in three subzones: Pychowice, Czyżyny, and Branice (on HTS premises). On 21st August 2001, the Council of Ministers decided to expand the zone by 40 ha (99 acres), allowing the establishment of the Tarnów subzone, and extension of the reach of the zone in the HTS. In the following years, following the motions from the KTP, the Council of Ministers repeatedly shifted the borders of the zone, maintaining its area constant. In September 2005, following the investment of MAN, another subzone was established in Niepołomice, which increased the entire area of the zone by 140 ha (346 acres). Today, the zone covers 523.39 ha (1293.3 acres).
Calendar of events:
October 1997 - establishment of special economic zone. By August 2001, the zone covered 80 ha (198 acres) divided into three subzones Pychowice, Czyżyny, Branice (HTS), all of them situated in Kraków
December 1997 - establishment of commercial company under the name Centrum Zaawansowanych Technologii to manage the special economic zone
August 2001 - establishing a subzones in Tarnów, letting total area of the zone reach 120 ha (269.5 acres)
January 2003 - approving new strategy for the company for 2003–2008
January 2004 - changing the company name to Krakowski Park Technologiczny sp. z o.o. (Kraków Technology Park LLC)
February 2005 - the option to invest within the zone is granted to operators of financial and accounting services centres (BPO) and call centre operators
June 2005 - extending the status of the zone to office space in two buildings: including the premises of the Kraków Business Park in Zabierzów and Brama Bronowicka into the zone.
September 2005 - establishing the 140 ha (346 acres) subzone in Niepołomice, which increased the total area of the zone to 262 ha (647.5 acres)
September 2005 - signing a contract on the construction of the plant Technology Incubator as a part of the SPO WKP Programme, measure 1.3, Project WKP_1/1.3/2/2005/23/08
September 2007 - expanding the borders of the special economic zone to 298.88 ha (738.5 acres) by including land in Nowy Sącz, Niepołomice, and Dobczyce
February 2008 - the Council of Ministers approves the decision for another expansion of the special economic zone, this time by117.45 ha (290 acres). In result of the decision, the area of the zone grew to over 416 ha (1028 acres), and included successive investment subzones in Oświęcim, Gdów, Wolbrom, Andrychów, and Słomniki
June 2008 - the Technology Incubator delivered for use, change of company seat
October 2008–January 2011 - running the project “Kraków – Małopolska 2020 Technology Perspective”
January 2009 - approval of a new strategy for the company for 2009–2013
April 2009 - expanding the special economic zone to the area of 523.39 ha (1293.5 acres)
November 2010 - inauguration of the construction of the Małopolska Information Technology Park in Pychowice
September 2011 - special economic zone expands to 558.71ha (1380 acres)
October 2011 - 3rd Annual Business in Małopolska Meeting conference with a guest appearance by the former President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Wałęsa. The meeting, whose leading theme was Modern Regions – New Europe, was held as a part of the Single Market Forum (SIMFO). During the event, the official Małopolska Business Award presentation gala was held in the Słowacki Theatre.
December 2011 - the official 2011 meeting of investors, and the presentation of the 100th permit to operate in Kraków special economic zone. The permit was presented to Capita Polska sp. z o.o. The ceremony, held in the Assembly Hall of the Office of the Governor of the Małopolska Region, gathered the management of Kraków Technology Park, Stanisław Kracik the Governor (Voivode) of the Małopolska Region, Marek Sowa the Marshal of the Małopolska Region, representatives of the 12 businesses that were granted permits to operate in the zone this year, and mayors managing the subzones of the Kraków Technology Park.
