St. Louis Business Journal: UMSL, SLU to collaborate on R&D for advanced manufacturing center
This week, Fox was highlighted in the St. Louis Business Journal by way of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center Saint Louis. The Fox team has worked closely with AMIC STL leadership in the development of the conceptual plans for the facility; these exhibits included floors plans, renderings, and VR of the campus, building, and interior spaces.
We are thrilled to be part of this group of innovators who aim to promote the best of Saint Louis!
To see the St. Louis Business Journal article, please click here.
By James Drew – Reporter, St. Louis Business Journal
Mar 25, 2022, 3:23pm EDT
The University of Missouri-St. Louis and Saint Louis University will collaborate on research and development for a proposed advanced manufacturing innovation center.
Plans call for the center to be located in north St. Louis’ Vandeventer neighborhood adjacent to the campus of Ranken Technical College, which is the operating partner for the project that seeks to create thousands of jobs in the region through high-tech manufacturers. Goals include the center becoming a driver of R&D efforts to create new materials, products and processes.
“Having Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri–St. Louis as co-leads for R&D is absolutely ideal,” John Hixson, a former vice president of defense initiatives at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, said in a written statement.
“Both universities have impactful research programs and active, mature innovation programs. Both universities, at their highest levels, agreed to take on this role enthusiastically,” added Hixson, who is a member of the nonprofit group formed to foster a robust advanced manufacturing sector in the region.
The nonprofit organization, the St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL), selected the two institutions and made the announcement Thursday.
Chris Spilling Enlarge Chris Spilling AUGUST JENNEWEIN | UMSL
Chris Spilling, vice chancellor for research and economic and community development at UMSL, and Ken Olliff, SLU’s vice president for research and partnerships, will oversee the collaboration between industry and the region’s research institutions.
Ken Olliff Enlarge Ken Olliff SLU
The effort will include the selection process for R&D projects, dissemination of findings, and translation of research into commercial applications, the two universities said.
Last December, the proposed advanced manufacturing center was named as one of 60 finalists in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” and received $500,000 toward the project.
The federal government selected the 60 finalists for its competition from 529 applicants. The regional coalition that includes Greater St. Louis, Inc. submitted its proposal March 11 for the second phase of the regional challenge. The U.S. Economic Development Administration is expected to award 20 to 30 groups up to $100 million for their proposed projects.
Kristin Sobolik Enlarge Kristin Sobolik AUGUST JENNEWEIN | UMSL
“As the premier public research university in the region, UMSL is pleased to partner with SLU to provide the research and development foundation for AMICSTL as we continue to maximize our collective regional assets and work collaboratively to advance inclusive economic growth,” UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said in a statement.
Fred Pestello Enlarge Fred Pestello JAY FRAM
“The broad St. Louis region is home to preeminent research universities and exceptional companies,” added SLU President Fred Pestello, “Drawing these assets together through an ambitious R&D agenda will make AMICSTL one of the world’s leading advanced manufacturing centers. SLU is pleased to partner with our colleagues at UMSL to help bring this vision to fruition.”