Building for the Future
IALR plans to build a future Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on its campus to offer a platform for leading-edge business success specifically targeted at manufacturing companies establishing or expanding their presence in Southern Virginia. The CMA will allow advanced manufacturing companies to collaborate and enhance processes, improve quality, integrate emerging technology and discover next-generation capabilities. This collaborative manufacturing technology transfer Center, an investment of $25.5 million, is projected to open in 2022 and will feature 51,250 square feet. It will be administered and managed by IALR.
The skill sets and demand for advanced manufacturing labor are continuously growing alongside the endless evolution of technology. IALR has proudly championed the growth of this sector as one path toward regional economic transformation with the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining Technology; temporary, rapid-launch space for companies to use as they build, upgrade or occupy a permanent new facility; and economic development support to help attract new manufacturers to the area to benefit from the workforce pipeline and other regional assets of Southern Virginia. This new Center for Manufacturing Advancement will allow us to continue these activities on a larger scale and to promote business success in a collaborative, innovative setting.
Features
The CMA will feature two floors, offices, meeting rooms, areas to house support services and the following amenities for manufacturer tenants:
Rapid-launch facilities will enable new businesses to begin limited operations off site during what is traditionally the initial down time as new businesses wait for their factory to be constructed and equipped to support full operations.
An ISO-certified inspection lab will provide integrated inspection capabilities required to validate product quality. This service will reduce the start-up phase for a new company by 8 to 10 months, the time required to certify an inspection lab.
Process improvement labs will enable new and existing businesses to improve their processes in a more expeditious manner, thereby ensuring global competitiveness.
This platform for collaborative innovation will allow manufacturing companies, technology companies and engineering students to work together to discover, integrate and showcase emerging technology.
Concierge service will provide the wrap-around support needed by companies new to the U.S. during their critical start-up phase.
