A ribbon cutting ceremony today at Riverstone Technology Park kicks off a week-long showcase of Halifax County's manufacturing assets and economic development opportunities.
The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is set to cut the ribbon this morning at 9:30 a.m. for the National Center for Coatings Application, Research, and Education (C-CARE), housed at Riverstone Building One.
Later in the day, local officials and business leaders will gather for a symposium, "The U.S. Renaissance in Advanced Manufacturing," that will continue throughout the week at Riverstone and the SVHEC Innovation Center. The purpose, according to IDA officials, is to stimulate economic development and job creation throughout the region.
C-CARE has been more than two years in the making and represents a collaboration between the Halifax IDA, the Riverstone Energy Center and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. It has been made possible by funding by the Virginia Tobacco Commission, the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and in-kind contributions of equipment from a network of industrial partners. Staffed by AWFI, a leading company in coatings technology training and process engineering, the coatings center is the product of a unique public/private partnership in the region, say IDA officials.
Housed in 12,000 square feet of environmentally controlled space at Riverstone, the center is home to Superfici Flatline and Hangline equipment, Kawasasaki Robotics, Robatech Surface Preparation technology and Liquid and Powder spray booths.
Ted Bennett, an IDA director, said C-CARE arose from the realization that "we as a small community have to do extra things to attract new business and industry."
Mary Rea Carter, deputy secretary of Commerce and Trade, will represent Gov. Bob McDonnell at this morning's ribbon cutting at the Riverstone Centre. Also speaking will be Matt Leonard, executive director of the Halifax IDA; David Lohr, President and Executive Director of the Commonwealth Center of Advanced Manufacturing; Dr. Douglas Corrigan, Executive Director of the Riverstone Energy Center; and Phillip Stevenson, founder and president of AWFI.
Other events during the week include a Women in Business luncheon and IndustryWeek magazine's Excellence in Action" plant tours of ABB and Huber.
Speakers for the various events include Leland Melvin, NASA Associate administrator for education and a two-time space shuttle astronaut.
Also speaking will be Will Powers, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.; Pat Panchak, editor-in-chief of Industry/Week magazine; and Petter Fiskerud, vice president and general manager of ABB South Boston.
Representatives from 15 other states, as well as from Germany, are expected to participate in some of the week-long events.
More than 20 different courses and workshops will be offered in CAD/CAM software technologies, additive manufacturing, robotics, coatings technology and quality control, among other topics.
Upskilling local workers to fill high-demand jobs is the aim of a new maintenance mechanic training program offered at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
