IALR’s Rapid Launch Facility Now Open for Business

In addition to helping build a work-ready, highly skilled workforce to attract new employers to the region, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is also providing newly constructed state-of-the-art space and amenities for rapid-launch services. 

IALR’s new Rapid Launch Facility, now open, helps existing industries significantly reduce the traditional startup time as they establish new business operations in their own facility within the region.

The Rapid Launch Facility includes a total of 14,100 square feet consisting of two high bay launch spaces as well as office and meeting space. IALR has the flexibility to discuss options with interested companies who may need to add modifications to the space.

Rapid launch space is an important resource for attracting economic development opportunities to the region. Similar space elsewhere on the IALR campus was instrumental in past recruitments of such companies as Kyocera SGS Tech Hub, Gefertec and BGF Industries. “This facility is a testament to how serious IALR is about supporting economic development,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “We have worked with the IALR Foundation and the Danville Regional Foundation to proactively build a facility to provide the best resources possible for companies launching a presence in Southern Virginia.”

For the near term, Morgan Olson is training their production employees in one of the high bays. The space has helped them remain on schedule for plant opening and production. “It’s beneficial to have an off-site training location while we transform our 975,000-square-foot building into a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing facility,” said Steven Parker, Director of Operations at Morgan Olson. “I love that we can train our team members without disrupting our current production.”

Interested industry may contact Director of Economic Development Linda Green at lgreen@svra.org or 434.766.6707 for more information.