C-CARE partners with Kawasaki Robotics

The National Center for Coatings, Application, Research and Education (C-CARE) has solidified its partnership with Kawasaki Robotics by integrating a new 6-axis robot into the Riverstone facility, Doug Corrigan, executive director of the Riverstone Energy Center, announced Friday.

The partnership was formalized last week.

C-CARE represents a multi-million dollar investment by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Communities Revitalization Commission, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Halifax County and a host of industry partners.

The mission of C-CARE is to assist manufacturers with their process engineering, research and development and work-force training needs in the application of coatings to their final products.

The C-CARE lab in Riverstone Technology Park has been recognized by industry as a one-of-a-kind facility in North America and rounds out Halifax's capability in aiding manufacturers in all cycles of product development, including modeling and simulation, design, engineering and prototyping.

C-CARE is part of Halifax's economic development tool-kit that aims to provide assets and programs to support and attract industries that require advanced manufacturing technology and skill sets.

C-CARE is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies from a number of industrial partners, which include Superfici, Krautzburger, Graco, Kremlin and Kawasaki. The latest addition to the C-CARE lab, a 6-axis Kawasaki robot, enables manufacturers to use the latest technology for applying spray coatings to their parts on an automated hangline.

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Local businessman in "Top 35 under 35" rising stars in automotive industry

TMI AutoTech's Co-Owner and VP Mark Swain has been recognized as one of the "Top 35 under 35" rising stars in the automotive industry by SEMA - Specialty Equipment Market Association.

TMI AutoTech, the North American manufacturer of the Ariel Atom, is headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway in Halifax County. The company also offers precision manufacturing for clients, and corporate retreats through its VIR Driving Experience.

Visit http://www.sema.org/sema-news/2013/09/35-under-35 to read the article.

SVHEC receives software grant from Siemens PLM Software

SVHEC to use the same technology in its classrooms that companies worldwide depend on to design some of today's most sophisticated products

Today, the SVHEC announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $94 million.

The SVHEC will adopt the software for students training in Product Design & Development (a program offered in partnership with Danville Community College), and for use in the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency (R&D CAMEE). R&D CAMEE will use Siemens PLM software for workforce training, and to resolve advanced manufacturing product development and process solutions for regional business and industry.

The software adoption gives students and industries across southern Virginia access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more. Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

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Energy Center intern studying Computer Science at VCU

Riverstone Energy Center intern Zack Raney is beginning his first year of college at Virginia Commonwealth University as a Computer Science major. As a Junior at Halifax County High School, Zach began his internship in June 2012 after touring the Riverstone Energy Center as part of Longwood University’s Digispired program.

“Using the knowledge I gained from Digispired, I was able to help Riverstone Energy Center create computer programs based on virtual reality to help expand their capabilities in Modeling and Simulation. I was able to experiment and develop applications using virtual reality tools like UNITY, Kinect, the OCULUS Rift, HYDRA, and the CAVE at Riverstone. Over the time I have been here, I have gained a great deal of knowledge about many things like programing, working with a team, and developing software for industry. Working here has been a great experience that I have gained a lot from. I am glad that I have had this opportunity to work with Riverstone Energy Center”, Zack Raney stated.

Dr. Doug Corrigan, Executive Director of the Riverstone Energy Center stated, “The Riverstone Energy Center internship program uses the talents of local high school students and college students to develop and adapt new technology within the Modeling and Simulation Center of Excellence. We have some great students in Halifax who are amazingly creative and intelligent, and we should be finding ways to develop that talent and retain them within our region.” To date, the program has worked with a number of interns from the high school and other colleges and will continue to expand into the future. For more information, please contact Doug Corrigan at dcorrigan@riverstoneenergycenter.com

IDA Hires Manager of Marketing & Business Development

The Halifax Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is pleased to announce that Kristy Johnson has been selected as its Manager of Marketing & Business Development. While this is a new position for the IDA, Kristy is well known to the IDA and Halifax County.

"Our search lead us to our own backyard," said IDA Executive Director, Matt Leonard. "We had an excellent response from candidates local and beyond, including those with marketing experience for nationally recognized organizations," reports Leonard. "Kristy knows Halifax County, and believes in it deeply. She has proven that over and again through her excellent work for the IDA and REC over the last five years, and through her community involvement outside of her work. Between her previous education and experience, and her different roles and responsibilities at the IDA and the REC, she has built up many of the skills needed for the this new position.."

Kristy first came to the IDA as its Operations Manager in 2009, a position she held until 2011. Her excellent work in that capacity made her the IDA's clear choice to become the Director of Operations & Business Development for Riverstone Energy Center (REC). REC is an IDA component, funded by the Tobacco Commission, the County and IDA, offering Business Incubation, and Product Development and Improvement. Dr. Douglas Corrigan is REC's Executive Director, and worked extensively with Kristy over the last two years to launch and grow the REC.

"Kristy is a great mulit-tasker, and a notably hard worker. She has done everything we needed her to do, and done it well," said Dr. Corrigan. "In fact, we singled her out at this time last year for her exemplary work on the Advanced Manufacturing Symposium and C-CARE Ribbon Cutting event. Kristy spent countless hours coordinating many of the IDA's partners, and industry stakeholders from around the country."

Johnsons's new duties will include planning and implementing targeted marketing strategies and tactics, coordinating prospect events, developing and coordinating marketing materials, deploying marketing through various media (electronic, social, print, etc.), developing and maintaining productive relationships with economic development and community partners and allies, assisting when negotiating agreements and contracts with prospects.

Johnson lives in the Town of Halifax with her husband Clint Johnson, a SVCC instructor working at the SVHEC, and their two sons. She is a Town of Halifax Council Member, Town of Halifax Planning Commissioner, Mentor Role Model Board Member, and Co-Chair of the Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs. She holds a BA in Business from Georgia Southwestern State, Basic Economic Developer Certificate, and a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership program. She will start her new position on October 15th.

SVHEC receives manufacturing grants

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) has received two grants to help train Southern Virginia's manufacturing work force.

The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission awarded the higher education center a $163,750 grant to fund its Advanced Manufacturing Bootcamp and a second grant of $20,886 to fund the initial group of participants in SVHEC's new welding lab.

The Advanced Manufacturing Bootcamp will prepare participants for skills needed in entry-level advanced manufacturing positions. Participants will also earn nationally recognized credentials, including National Career Readiness Certificate, OSHA 10, Lean Principles, Standard Work, and CPR & First Aid.

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Biomass plant successfully generates electricity in test

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and NOVI Energy announce that the NOVEC Energy Production, Halifax County Biomass* (NEPHCB) plant that the two companies have been working on together near South Boston, generated its first electricity and connected to the PJM regional electric transmission grid on Sept. 11, at 11:11 a.m. during testing. The companies anticipate that pre-commercial-operation testing and inspection of plant systems will continue for several more weeks.

The $170 million NEPHCB generation station will generate up to 49.9 megawatts of renewable electricity for NOVEC customers. It is located on a 104-acre site in the Halifax County Industrial Park in Southern Virginia. NOVI Energy developed and is overseeing construction of the plant for plant owner NOVEC.

"We've been working on this project for three years," said Mike Dailey, NOVEC vice president of Energy and Business Development. "This successful synchronization with the power grid marks a major milestone in the development of the station and now sets the stage for commercial operation."

The plant will use waste wood leftover from logging operations in Southside Virginia as fuel. The wood fuel, chopped into small wood chips, will burn inside the boiler to create steam that will turn turbines and generate electricity.

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Sarah Johnson Joins Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities as West Coast Economic Development Director

Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities (MBC) announced today that Sarah Johnson has been selected as MBC's west coast Economic Development Director, based in Santa Clara.

Ms. Johnson will be responsible for promoting southern Virginia's competitive advantages to companies looking to expand or relocate to the east coast. Her strategic marketing and recruiting efforts will be focused on companies in the technology, advanced manufacturing, distribution and logistics, research and development, biotech and communications industries.

"We're excited to have Sarah join our team," said Tad Deriso, President & CEO of MBC. "Her background in business development is an asset that will further propel the southern Virginia region to attract companies interested in expanding their business on the east coast."

Prior to joining MBC, Ms. Johnson held numerous positions in business development including her role at United Kingdom Trade and Investment in San Francisco where she focused in renewable energy, clean tech and financial services sectors. She developed trade missions, assisted companies with expansion efforts into the United Kingdom and U.S., and coordinated visits for high-level government officials.

"I look forward to introducing companies on the west coast the opportunity to an alternative when it comes to expansion on the east coast," said Ms. Johnson. "Southern Virginia has a lot to offer, from the technological infrastructure to the pro-business environment and talented workforce. I'm ready to tell their story."