The businesses and the technology of tomorrow are both getting a new home in Starkville.
Half of Mississippi”s congressional delegation was in Starkville on Monday for the groundbreaking on a new 20,000-square-foot building at the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. Half of the building will serve as an “incubation” center for businesses born out of Mississippi State University”s various colleges, as well as expansion space for electronics component manufacturer II-VI Inc.
Dr. David Shaw, vice president of research and economic development at MSU, said he expects the building will be complete within a year. The project was a collaboration between MSU, Mississippi”s congressional delegation, MSU and the Mississippi Development Authority.
“Students and faculty are going to come here to do the business development portion of what they”re doing because the university cannot provide space for private business. This is a state-owned property, but we had to set something up so it can be in close proximity and close working relationship (with MSU). The building is owned by a research and technology corporation which is basically a spinoff nonprofit corporation of the university,” said Shaw.
Carl Johnson, co-founder and chairman of II-VI Inc., said the company will use the space to develop and manufacture high grade electronic components which will allow electronic devices to operate at higher temperatures, power and frequencies to go in products from military equipment to hybrid cars.
“The ultimate application in motor control is for our products to go on a hybrid electric vehicle. Years into the future it could increase the miles per gallon of a Toyota Prius by 20 percent, and the car is already at 50 miles per gallon. It”s a huge energy saver,” said Johnson.
As II-VI, Inc., grows from the seven employees currently working in 2,500 square feet of space in Starkville, Johnson said he expects to have 100 employees in the area in five years along with $18 million worth of investment from the company.
At the same time, he said the company will grow in prominence.
“Our mission at II-VI is to be No. 1 or 2 in the world at everything we do. We”re presently the No. 2 supplier of these products. We will pursue and obtain the top spot thanks to the work done here in Starkville,” said Johnson.
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., who was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony, praised Starkville and MSU for “aggressively promoting our assets,” noting the growth of his namesake research park. District 3 Rep. Gregg Harper praised the various agencies involved for working together and spoke of laying groundwork for future collaborations. District 1 U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, expressed his excitement over II-VI Inc.”s mission to be the best in the world at what it does.
“That”s a partnership I can buy into,” he said.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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