Second Round of RI Innovation Campus Projects Announced
GoLocalProv Business Team
Second Round of RI Innovation Campus Projects Announced
These two additional projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs in growing industries such as advanced materials manufacturing and gene therapy.
“Innovation isn’t a relic of Rhode Island’s past, it is the key to our future. The projects we announced today as part of our second round of Innovation Campus funding will create jobs, foster creativity and development in key sectors, and stimulate our economy. Advanced materials manufacturing and gene therapy are industries of tomorrow, and I’m thrilled that we’re investing in their growth today,” said Raimondo.
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The campuses announced on Thursday, located in Kingston, Portsmouth, and Providence, will be supported by a bond approved by voters in November 2016. Private investment in these two projects is expected to be more than $12 million, which is five times the state's pledged investment.
As GoLocalProv reported, the first round of Innovation Campus projects was announced in December of 2018.
Two New Projects
The “401 Tech Bridge” – The Rhode Island Materials Innovation Center
The University of Rhode Island will partner with POLARIS MEP, Toray, Composites One, Hope Global, the International Yacht Restoration School of Technology and Trades (IYRS), the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), the Composites Alliance of RI (CARI), the Rhode Island Textiles Innovation Network (RITIN), the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA), and DESIGNxRI to create a catalytic center focused on innovation in advanced textiles and composites.
Industry partners will be able to work in the 401 Tech Bridge Center with entities such as the Navy or agencies such as the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) to explore textile and composite projects for rapid development and deployment.
The 401 Tech Bridge is projected to create hundreds of jobs over the first ten years of operation.
“401 Tech Bridge builds on the university’s expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing with the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences and Polaris MEP to create a center where manufacturers, small businesses, research and development entities, trade organizations, state agencies, and defense agencies will innovate and rapidly develop new advanced materials and composites technology for real-world applications," said Dooley.
He added, "The Cell Therapy Training Institute will accelerate the education and training of the University’s nursing and pharmacy students, faculty and staff in the delivery of immune-oncology. Innovation Campuses provide the facilities and programs necessary to foster scientific collaboration, educational advancements, and technical training to serve the residents of Rhode Island and innovate industries to support growth and prosperity in our economy."
The Catalytic Center will provide opportunities and resources to galvanize technology commercialization efforts required to meet the quickly changing demands for national defense, infrastructure, and healthcare. 401 Tech Bridge would make Rhode Island a focal point of materials research and development in the NorthEast, create a competitive economic advantage, and provide a model for commercialization centers nationwide.
Polaris MEP will be awarded $1.0 million from the Innovation Campus bond and will receive and invest more than $5 million in matching funds from other sources including the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Rhode Island Cell Therapy Training Institute
The University of Rhode Island will partner with Roger Williams Medical Center (RWMC) to form the Rhode Island Cell Therapy Training Institute (RI-CTTI) within the Rhode Island CAR-T Design and Development Center.
The goal of the Center is to accelerate immuno-oncology innovation in the state and serve as a critical magnet to draw biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to Rhode Island.
The State portion of the funding of this project totals $1.4 million.
Roger Williams Medical Center, and its corporate parent CharterCARE Health Partners will provide at least $7 million of matching contributions over the life of the project. The facility will be located on the Roger Williams Medical Center campus in Providence.
There will also be a jointly managed URI/RWMC research program conducted within the Rhode Island CAR-T Design and Development Center and on the URI campus. An immunotherapy nursing program will be established within the URI College of Nursing, along with a cell manufacturing technician training program at URI.