News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Local & Bistate

August 21, 2012

Battery Innovation Center a charge for Greene County economy

Facility will employ at least 30

TERRE HAUTE — At least 30 new full-time jobs will be created at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park in Greene County for the Battery Innovation Center, a new research and technology center to develop energy storage devices and technology.

State and federal officials Monday took part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the $14 million, 32,000-square-foot facility, expected to be completed by mid next year.

Three major prospective clients for Battery Innovation Center are the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Cummins Engines and Delphi, said Melissa Roberts, spokeswoman for Energy Systems Network, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that focuses on developing Indiana’s “clean tech” industry.

The nonprofit BIC will serve as a base for a network of battery manufacturers, research labs, universities and government agencies focused on developing, commercializing and validating cutting-edge battery technologies.  

Last month, the Greene County Council unanimously approved $15.6 million in economic development bonds to support construction of the BIC facility. The Greene County Redevelopment Commission sold an 8-acre site for $1 to the Greene County Building Corp., which will own the building and lease the facility to BIC. Taxes collected from a tax increment finance district will be used to pay off the bonds.

The facility will include a more than 1,800-square-foot dry/clean room for lithium ion battery prototype manufacturing; a variety of temperature, humidity and altitude chambers for cell testing; and computer architecture and systems required to support initial cell designs, modeling and simulation, among other advanced equipment.

“The lab will take on a wide variety of cell design and development efforts, harnessing a network of world-class minds and resources to help our partners create the next generation of energy storage solutions,” BIC President Chuck LaSota said in a written release.

“It will be one of the most advanced testing and prototyping labs in the world. Combined with our members’ research and development capacity, the BIC will be uniquely positioned at the forefront of efforts to expand the range of electric vehicles, supply our military with reliable power in the field and give homeowners access to a smarter electric grid,” LaSota said.

LaSota, with 35 years of experience in the U.S. Navy, had previously served as the 25th commanding officer of NSWC Crane. LaSota has a master’s degree in electrical engineering/computer science and nuclear engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

For the past 18 months, Energy Systems Network has coordinated efforts with NSWC Crane Division; RADIUS Indiana, a regional partnership representing Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington counties; and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to develop a detailed business plan and assess potential demand and support for the Center.

Dozens of organizations also provided input into the development process, many of which are prospective member institutions of the BIC, such as Cummins, Delphi, the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and Purdue University.

“We believe the BIC can position Indiana as a ‘Silicon Valley’ for battery innovation, testing and production …,” Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of Energy Systems Network, said in a release.

While waiting for the WestGate facility to open, BIC leadership will continue to raise funds, recruit partners and use its virtual network to conduct due diligence on several initial projects. BIC’s access to its partners’ research assets — including NSWC —will advance the work that will be undertaken at the new BIC facility.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local & Bistate
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington Jersey Shore Open for Business Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys Today in History May 24 New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News