Innovation center construction to begin at Clemson University Advanced Materials Center
February 25, 2010
CLEMSON, SC – February 25, 2010 – Clemson University and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) are scheduled to begin construction in mid-March on the approximately 43,000 square-foot innovation center complex in Anderson County to support the state’s growing advanced materials industry. Harper Corporation of Greenville is the design/build contractor on the project, with Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc., serving as architect of record.
Clemson’s innovation center will occupy approximately 25,000 square feet and be dedicated to supporting tenants interested in growing start-up companies or “landing parties” associated with Clemson research, especially in advanced materials. SCRA will house secure research in approximately 18,000 square feet, with the remaining square footage devoted to a common area and collaboration space.
The facility will be adjacent to the Clemson University Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, where Clemson offers some of the nation’s top research facilities in optical materials/photonics and electron microscopy and houses cutting-edge research programs.
Chris Przirembel, Clemson’s vice president for research and economic development, said the facility will complete the ‘innovation chain’ that links academic research to the marketplace — and jobs.
The knowledge generated by faculty and students is not intended to remain within the confines of the university, Przirembel said. Providing office and laboratory space for fledgling companies that want to start businesses and create jobs based on university discoveries is an exciting prospect. We look forward to creating an environment that nurtures new business for South Carolina, particularly in advanced materials where we know there is great opportunity for growth.
Przirembel noted that Innovate Anderson, a public-private economic development organization formed by Anderson County, the City of Anderson, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and private businesses, is a critical partner in the development of the Advanced Materials Center, having purchased the remaining undeveloped property in the research campus to attract private development to Anderson County.
Bill Mahoney, SCRA’s chief executive officer, said the facility is specially designed for commercialization of advanced materials by start-up companies with intellectual property primarily coming out of Clemson University.
“This is one of three world-class facilities that SCRA is providing with its university partners in South Carolina to grow the knowledge economy,” said Mahoney. “With these centers, SCRA is fulfilling legislative mandates identified in the Innovation Centers Act focused on commercialization of new knowledge-based discoveries, using SCRA company-retained earnings instead of state taxpayer money.”
The innovation center complex was funded through a public-private partnership that includes Advance SC, the Duke Energy Foundation, federal agencies and South Carolina Research Infrastructure Act funds, in addition to Clemson and SCRA. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2011.
About Clemson University (www.clemson.edu)
Clemson University is a nationally ranked science and technology-oriented public research university known for its emphasis on collaboration, focus and a culture that encourages faculty and students to embrace bold ideas. Its teaching, research and outreach are driving economic development and improving quality of life in South Carolina and beyond. Clemson is a high-energy, student-centered community dedicated to intellectual leadership, innovation, service and a determination to excel.
About the Clemson University Advanced Materials Center
(http://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/cuadvancedmaterialscenter/)
The 265-acre Clemson University Advanced Materials Center is an innovative campus and technology park located in Anderson County, SC, in the heart of the Charlotte-Atlanta I-85 corridor. This powerful magnet for South Carolina’s growing advanced materials industry cluster features a mix of private industry and state-of-the-art Clemson University research and support facilities.
About SCRA (http://www.scra.org)
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in McLean, Virginia. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, with the help of research universities in SC, the US and around the world. Through its SC Launch program, SCRA has provided funding and support to 149 knowledge-based start-up entities in South Carolina since the program’s inception in April 2006. SC Launch portfolio companies have secured more than $71 million in follow-on, private capital.
About SC Launch (http://www.sclaunch.org)
SC Launch, an SCRA collaboration, assists entrepreneurial start-up companies with up-front counseling, seed-funding, and access to a powerful resource network. The SC Launch mission is to help generate knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina, enhance the state’s quality of life and provide opportunity for all South Carolinians in the new economy.
