(Photo by Casey Kuhn - KJZZ)

The storefront of BioInspire in Peoria.

This week, the Peoria City Council considered partnering with Arizona State University to run a startup incubator.

Peoria launched tech accelerator BioInspire in 2012 as a partnership with BioAccel, an entrepreneur growth program.

That five-year contract is up, and now Peoria is hoping to bring ASU into managing and expanding the startup incubator.

The proposed agreement would bring ASU and Mayo Clinic tech resources and branding — at a cost of $3 million to the city over three years.

Peoria Economic Development Director Scott Whyte leads the effort.

“I think a lot of times municipalities might have the impression that ASU should come in and do this for us," Whyte said. "Well I think it’s really to do it with you, not for you.”

He said ASU would bring valuable resources to West Valley tech companies.

“They are providing an expertise, they are providing a network, they’re providing the brand recognition," Whyte said. "They’re providing the ingredients to elevate us.”

The city is moving forward on discussions about the partnership, but no final decisions have been made yet.