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Work on project creating excitement, developer says
Spring should bring milestones for Robotics Technology Park, and developers say this is creating excitement about the project.
Chairman Joe Sparks said Monday at the park’s executive board meeting he receives calls daily from federal agencies, educators, industry, business and the community. Some calls are from outside of the state.
“People are beginning to see how big this is,” Sparks said. “It’s bigger and more unique than they expected. The state of Alabama has a hold on something nobody else has.”
Ed Castile, executive director of the Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute, said his agency and other state industrial development groups are using the robotics park in recruiting. He wouldn’t say who the prospects are, but added there is legitimate interest in relocating to the area.
“This adds another pretty powerful recruiting weapon to our arsenal,” Castile said.
September grand opening
With construction closing in on 40 percent complete and grand opening scheduled for Sept. 15, Phase 1 is primarily an education and training facility.
Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck, Dean of Technologies and Workforce Development Bethany Clem and Sparks recently met with the presidents of Alabama A&M University, the University of North Alabama and The University of Alabama in Huntsville to discuss their parts in the park.
Sparks said Athens State will work with the park on a management of technology program. UAH is interested in the research and development part of robotics. The UNA president “had some good ideas” on engineering technology, he said.
Ed Nichols, Decatur City Schools assistant superintendent, and Austin High School teacher Susan Haddock gave a presentation about the Decatur -Austin Robotics Team. Nichols told the board the school system is interested in making sure its students could easily transition into the robotics park classes.
The first phase has seven venders committed to do automated line training and eight to do welding training in the facility.
Planning continues for the second two phases.
Phase 2 is a 30,000-square-foot research, development and test facility with an outdoor test track Sparks said is attracting the attention of federal agencies. The bid opening for this phase is March 18.
Phase 3, is an estimated $6 million, 25,000-square-foot integration and new product development facility. The timeline shows construction beginning in September and taking about 11 months.
Castile said funding for the third phase should be set by May. He will meet with Gov. Bob Riley next week on Phase 3 to talk about a possible federal grant and alternative funding.
Beck said the college began advertising for a park director Feb. 11. The application deadline is March 11. A search committee would then take two or three weeks, depending on schedules and the number of applicants, to recommend three finalists.
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