The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) was founded in Danville, Va., in 2002 as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. It was funded by state and local sources, as well as the tobacco settlement funds disbursed by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.

Established to diversify, transform and grow the economy of Southern Virginia, IALR engages the resources of Virginia Tech, Danville Community College, Averett University and other public and private sector partners. IALR’s mission is simple and profound: to serve as a catalyst for economic transformation.

IALR’s campus, located in the Cyber Park owned by the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority, began with the 2002 groundbreaking of the 90,000-square-foot main building. The building opened in 2004 and became fully operational in 2005.

The Charles R. Hawkins Building opened in 2008, and the Sustainable Energy and Technology Center (SENTEC) opened in 2012—both located adjacent to the main building.

Since its inception, IALR has served as a site for the development of the technology, partnerships and unique workforce training programs necessary for new economic enterprises to flourish. The Advanced Learning division of IALR has helped generate a skilled workforce through the use of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education initiatives and collaborations with regional employers and K12 divisions.

IALR has served as a resource and convener across industries. New business site selections and existing company expansions have been supported by IALR’s Economic Development division in partnership with the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance and regional economic developers.

As a regional economic and community development effort, IALR’s Applied Research division has housed and encouraged scientific research to aid transformative product development and commercialization opportunities.

The IALR Conference Center has hosted thousands of guests annually for a vast array of events and meetings supported by state-of-the-art technology, meeting spaces, staff and on-site catering.

In May 2018, IALR’s Board of Trustees voted to add a new, fifth division to its structure for the first time since its origination. The Manufacturing Advancement division began operating July 1, 2018, and demonstrates the region’s recognition of the transformative influence of the industrial sector. The Charles R. Hawkins Building houses the renowned Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining, which supports several unique training programs.

IALR’s focus on advanced manufacturing is evident with the addition of three new buildings since 2020:

  • The Rapid Launch Facility (opened 2020): The Rapid Launch Facility helps existing industries significantly reduce traditional startup time as they establish new business operations in their own facility within the region.
  • The Center for Manufacturing Advancement (opened 2023): As Virginia’s hub for high-performance manufacturing optimization and advancement, IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) equips manufacturers to be globally competitive.
  • The U.S. Navy’s National Training Center (to open in 2025): Located directly adjacent to the CMA, the U.S. Navy’s National Training Center will house the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) beginning in early 2025.

Inside IALR Podcast