Purdue News

June 2006

A monthly letter from President Martin C. Jischke

Dear Purdue Partners,

Making Indiana a better place to live and work is a goal that requires cooperation and unselfish dedication from entrepreneurs, government leaders, community organizations and educators. A wonderful example of the kind of commitment needed came recently when Purdue, Indiana University Southeast and a civic-minded family from southern Indiana announced a partnership that will lead to new opportunities in the New Albany area.

The Shine family, founders and owners of Samtec Inc., an electronic interconnect manufacturer, donated 40 acres that will allow Purdue and IU Southeast to open a new technology park and expand Purdue's academic programs in New Albany.

The Purdue Technology Center of New Albany will be a 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot facility that has the potential to make a major impact on the economy of southern Indiana. The partnership of the two universities will expand the higher education opportunities available to people in that part of our state, and the Purdue Technology Center will be a place to nurture new high-tech businesses and the minds behind them.

With construction getting under way this summer, we expect the facility to be ready to accommodate new businesses and classes by the fall of 2008.

John Shine, who is president of Samtec Inc., and his family have made a generous and visionary gift that will impact the lives of people in and around New Albany for many years to come. One of Purdue's most important commitments to support regional economic growth in Indiana, the Shines' gift has given the University the leverage it needs to make a significant step. The cooperation of IU Southeast and community leadership, including New Albany Mayor James Garner and Jeffersonville Mayor Rob Waiz, was essential in making this new center a dream we can fulfill.

The center will contain 18,000 square feet of business incubator offices, an economic development office and an office for Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, which connects companies with Purdue resources and assists them in implementing state-of-the art technologies. As they grow, the companies will have an opportunity to move into the adjacent technology park.

We already have a successful model for the New Albany facility and programs. They will follow the formula developed by Purdue's technology center in Merrillville, which is based on the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette. By providing incubator

space, business support and the expertise of the Purdue faculty, we have been able to create businesses that succeed at a very high rate and move quickly to full independence while creating the kinds of high-paying jobs that our state needs.

In addition to the business space, the Technology Center will offer about 12,000 square feet for classrooms, labs and faculty offices for Purdue's College of Technology. The college already occupies 7,600 square feet on the campus of IU Southeast. With the additional space, the college will be able to expand its offerings to meet growing demand from the region's people and businesses.

Including current programs, the college will offer:

• Bachelor's and associate's degrees in computer graphics technology, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.

• A bachelor's degree in industrial technology.

• Courses requested by industry through which students earn specialized certificates.

• Courses in aviation administration technology.

The New Albany initiative is an example of what can happen when we work together. The business incubator and the expanded educational opportunities are not the final goal in regional economic development, but they position the community for success by providing the tools needed. The foundation has been laid, and I believe future success will follow.

• • •

Plans are moving ahead well for the Richard G. Lugar-Purdue Summit on Energy Security, which will take place in West Lafayette on August 29. The summit will focus on the nation's energy future with emphasis on the national security and economic policies in regards to future American energy demands. You can read more about the summit on line.

 

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