Missouri State opens $17 million research center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Once an abandoned feed mill, a $17-million research tower pairing Missouri State University scientists with private technology companies opened Wednesday with a mission to foster new jobs and manufacturing in futuristic areas such as nanotechnology.

Missouri State leaders, flanked by city, county and state officials, held a grand opening ceremony and named the center for Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a supporter who has helped win millions of dollars in federal construction financing and research grants.

The opening marks the completion of the first phase of the Roy Blunt Jordan Valley Innovation Center, the renovation of the mill's tower to house advanced scientific instruments and lab space where Missouri State students and faculty can work with private corporations on research projects.

"This facility helps establish Springfield as what I believe will be called the Idea City in the future," Missouri State President Michael Nietzel told the crowd. The university owns the facility and championed its transformation.

Research will be focused on nanotechnology and other materials science, as well as biomedical technology. There are six corporate partners now, from Missouri, Texas, Georgia and Massachusetts, many of them working on defense-related projects.

One such project is a $6.2 million grant from the Office of Naval Research to come up with carbon-based electronic components for satellites to protect them against blasts in space that could cripple satellite communications.

The center's focus is on producing research advances that can be turned into commercial products, which in turn will hopefully spur manufacturing nearby and create new jobs in the region, the center's executive director, Ryan Giedd, said.

A second phase will convert the rest of the mill building into a facility for making prototypes and advanced manufacturing technology. Due to be completed next year, that portion will be funded by $7.6 million in state and federal money.

About 50 people work in the center now, and the jobs will total between 200 and 300 once Phase II is done, officials said.

Greg Steinhoff, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, said developing advanced technology is one way to counter the loss of manufacturing jobs to places such as China and Mexico.

"This is a window to our future," Steinhoff told the crowd.