(TNS) — One of Georgia's largest economic development projects is partnering with several state universities and colleges to find answers to the biggest questions about today's workforce.
Rowen, a 2,000-acre life sciences campus located in Gwinnett County near Dacula, recently entered into a “Living Lab” agreement with the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Technical College System. This partnership will result in multiple projects and programs focused on emerging technologies and industries that are expected to employ thousands of Georgians in the coming years.
Although the announcement lacked specifics, Lowen Foundation President Mason Ailstock said the Living Lab would allow higher education institutions and students to visit and learn from the Lowen site, which is undergoing infrastructure development. . He said this would provide new training courses and technology amenities aimed at a variety of growing industries.
“Our Living Labs platform is designed to be industry agnostic,” he said. “We can work on life sciences, we can work on agtech (agricultural technology), we can work on any field.”
Modeled after North Carolina's Research Triangle, Loewen aims to provide a development that connects employers with students at Georgia's largest university. The project site is equidistant from Atlanta, Athens, and Gainesville along his Ga. 316.
Rowen broke ground on the site last year, beginning $32 million worth of road and infrastructure projects, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. This infrastructure will connect to several corporate pad sites currently being sold to up-and-coming companies in the life sciences and technology industries.
Mr Alstock said he was currently in talks with 10 companies potentially interested in joining Lowen, which would also include a central village with apartments, restaurants, parks and retail. .
“We’re open for business,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting the roads in and getting the first few tenants moving in.”
Ailstock described the Living Lab as a framework that connects higher education institutions and Georgia businesses looking to develop the workforce of the future. Already he has two programs underway, both focused on e-mobility and emerging technologies.
The first involves the University of Georgia, Georgia Gwinnett College, and Gwinnett Technical College and aims to create academic programs for the electric mobility and energy industries. Georgia has emerged as a leader in the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing ecosystem, deploying a multibillion-dollar production plant and supplier network.
The second involves UGA's Georgia Network for Electric Mobility and will focus on innovation and experimentation. Potential topics include self-driving cars, on-road charging, and smart city technology.
“We are pleased to support Rowen, our students, the state of Georgia, and our partners in higher education by serving as the contracting agency for these projects,” said UGA Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. S. Jack Hu said. Director Rowen.
The Living Lab effort is made possible by an Innovation Engine grant from the National Science Foundation. Arostock said other programs are expected to follow suit.
“We are in talks with several other institutions about starting additional living lab projects,” he said.
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