NuHub Receives Innovator Award from Southern Growth Policies Board

NuHub Recognized for Improving Economic Opportunities in South Carolina

CHATTANOOGA, TN – June 26, 2012 – NuHub, an initiative of EngenuitySCwith the mission of maximizing economic and job creation opportunitiesfor the nuclear industry in the Midstate region of South Carolina, washonored last night with the “Innovator Award for South Carolina” fromthe Southern Growth Policies Board. NuHub was one of 13 winnersannounced at the 2012 Chairman’s Conference hosted by Tennessee GovernorBill Haslam. Garry Powers, Midlands Technical College CommissionMember, and Ann-Marie Stieritz, Director of Business Solutions forInnovista at the University of South Carolina, accepted the award onbehalf of NuHub.

The Innovator Awards are presented annually to one organization in eachof Southern Growth’s 13 member states. NuHub was recognized for itsinitiatives on improving economic opportunities and quality of life inthe region, as well as preparing Southerners to meet the workforce needsof a globally competitive business sector.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Southern Growth Policies Boardfor our efforts in workforce development,” said Dr. Sonny White,president of Midlands Technical College and co-chair of NuHub.  “Thisaward helps demonstrate that NuHub is making great strides to fulfillthe workforce needs of an important customer in the Midlands – thegrowing Nuclear Power Industry.  These achievements will certainlyproduce an economic ripple that will be felt throughout the Midlands,the state and beyond.”

Here are some of the NuHub partners and programs highlighted by the Innovator Award:

• Midlands Technical College was selected by the National ScienceFoundation to serve as a Regional Center for Nuclear Education andTraining (RCNET), which links nuclear workforce development programs inseven southeastern states.
• In conjunction with Midlands Education & Business Alliance(MEBA), SCANA, and Microburst Learning, NuHub launched a K-12 virtualjob shadow program in Midstate school districts that allows students toelectronically explore nuclear career opportunities.
• Through NuHub and the SC SmartState Program, San Diego-basedGeneral Atomics endowed $900,000 to fund two research chairs andestablish the General Atomics Center for Development of TransformationalNuclear Technologies as part of a new Center of Economic Excellence atthe University of South Carolina.
• NuHub recently announced partnerships with NuScale Power, Inc. andHoltec International, LLC to compete for one of two U.S. Department ofEnergy awards totaling $452M to license, build and operate the firstsmall modular reactor in South Carolina. If selected, the Midstate wouldbecome the regional epicenter for training the future workforce of thisnext generation, nuclear technology.

“The Midstate is a major player in the nuclear renaissance andcontinues to stay on the cutting-edge of research, development and jobcreation,” said Neil McLean, executive director for EngenuitySC, whichlaunched NuHub in April 2011. “We think these NuHub partnerships are keyto creating a world-class nuclear workforce that’s prepared to meet ourfuture industry needs.”

About NuHub
NuHub, an initiative of EngenuitySC, is a collaboration ofpublic, private, higher education, and workforce developmentstakeholders seeking to maximize economic and job creation opportunitiesfor the nuclear industry in the Midstate region of South Carolina andestablish the Midstate as a global leader for nuclear energy innovation.Please visit www.NuHubSC.com for more information.

About EngenuitySC
Headquartered in Columbia, EngenuitySC is public/private partnershipformed to develop and grow the South Carolina Midlands’ knowledge-basedeconomy by fostering an environment where entrepreneurship, innovation,and the creation of knowledge are fundamental elements of the region’sculture, identity, and economic development strategy. Throughcollaboration with business, government, and higher education,EngenuitySC leads initiatives that support research development, promotecommercialization, and leverage the region’s assets. Visit www.EngenuitySC.com for more information.

About Southern Growth
Southern Growth Policies Board is a non-partisan public policy thinktank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Formed by theregion’s governors in 1971, Southern Growth Policies Board develops andadvances visionary economic development policies by providing a forumfor partnership and dialog among a diverse cross-section of the region’sgovernors, legislators, business and academic leaders and the economic-and community-development sectors. This unique public-privatepartnership is devoted to strengthening the South’s economy and creatingthe highest possible quality of life. For more information, visit www.southerngrowth.org.