A collaboration between William M. Factory Small Business Incubator and Puyallup Tribe could make Tacoma a national center for clean energy and technology, according to a new report.

The incubator has one building and a second is under construction. Marine View Ventures, the tribe’s economic development arm, has expressed interest in building a structure that would be the third at the location on the East Side near Portland Avenue.

Consultant Lincoln Ferris discussed findings of the report with Tacoma City Council during its Jan. 13 study session.

It included information gathered by visits to similar facilities in Austin, Texas and San Jose, Calif. last year. Interviews were conducted with representatives of economic development entities, environmentalists, city employees and others.

Strong support for such a facility from elected officials in Olympia and the state’s Congressional delegation, as well as relatively cheap electricity in the region, are factors working in the proposal’s favor.

“Companies that are trying to be successful in these fields will prosper in the Northwest,” Ferris remarked.

Entrepreneurs in Seattle and Bellevue will relocate to Tacoma if the services they need are all available in a central location and if there is access to venture capital here, according to Ferris.

A facility with 30,000 square feet is feasible. Ferris said if the incubator will sign a master lease, Marine View Ventures will build it.

“It was a good first step for us to do this report,” said Chad Wright, executive director of Marine View Ventures.

The report determined anchor tenants would be needed and suggested partnering with local colleges.

Three sub-sectors within the clean technology field hold the most promise, according to Ferris. They are specialty trade construction, alternative fuel vehicles and water and air quality remediation, and clean energy generation.

Serving the region, rather than focusing on Tacoma, will draw more state and federal funding. “There is competition around the country to grab this sector,” Ferris commented.

“This is a great example of how the tribe and city can work together,” said Councilmember Rick Talbert, whose district includes the incubator. He said the tribe can move forward with this project in a quick and flexible manner, “where other governments do not have that luxury.”

Ferris said training would be targeted at members of Puyallup Tribe. The facility could serve as a model for sustainable development for tribes around the country, he noted.