Governor Riley Announces Site of Robotics Research, Development and Training Center

Three-Plant Complex will help recruit new industry, support existing industry and train workforce for high-tech jobs

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley announced today that Calhoun Community College in Decatur will be the site of a robotics research, education and training campus that will help the state attract new industry, support the needs of existing industry and train workers for high-tech careers.

The Advanced Technology Robotics Research and Development Complex will consist of three separate facilities, each targeted to meet a specific industry need. Governor Riley first proposed the robotics campus in 2006.

“This will make Alabama the nation’s leader in robotics research and development. It will make Alabama the national leader in robotics technology education. The benefits will be remarkable for our economy, for our workforce and for our future,” said Governor Riley.

In choosing Calhoun Community College as the site for the robotics complex, the Governor stressed it met all the needed requirements, including proximity to Huntsville. Wallace State Community College in Hanceville was also considered for the robotics complex.

“Wallace State made a great presentation and a good case. I commend Dr. Vicki Hawsey and others leaders in the Cullman area for their hard work in pursuing this project,” said Governor Riley.

“Our vision from the beginning was a state-of-the-art robotics campus affiliated with a two-year college that is close to Huntsville’s aerospace research hub and easily accessible to our manufacturing industries. Calhoun Community College is a perfect fit for what we envisioned,” he said.

Robotics manufacturers pledged to provide $42 million worth of robots for the robotics campus during a meeting with Governor Riley in September. Representatives from 12 robotic companies were brought together with Governor Riley by AIDT and agreed to also help design different elements of the campus.

AIDT Director Ed Castille said, “This robotics complex is a major part of Governor Riley’s vision for Alabama in his quest for our state to be the world leader in manufacturing technology, continued research and development of cutting edge robotics technology, and the mecca for companies that want to be leaders in their respective markets. Today Alabama takes another huge step in making that vision a reality. I applaud the Governor and look forward to the opportunities going forward.”

Chancellor Bradley Byrne of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education said, “With this new robotic center our system will be a national leader in robotics training on all makes of robots. Moreover, our partnership with Alabama’s universities, particularly University of Alabama-Huntsville, on the next research and development building for this campus will allow us to be ahead of the curve as these amazing technologies evolve.”

The robotics campus will consist of three individual training plants each targeted to a specific industry need.

The first plant will be a 40,000 square foot facility where technicians will be trained to work on robotic machinery. It will be staffed by trainers supplied by top robot builders. The first plant will be home to several major robotics and automation brands and each will have a significant space for training and product demonstration. About 450 people are expected to be trained at the facility each year.

The second plant will be used by NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command for the purpose of research, development and testing of leading edge robotics used for military projects and space exploration. The facility will have appropriate infrastructure to support these activities with substantial outdoor areas for testing in a variety of environments.

The third plant of the robotics campus will allow companies to build and adapt robots for new industries. Start up plants will be able to set up manufacturing lines to integrate software and equipment, test systems and train maintenance and production staff.

All three plants will have an investment of approximately $71 million including robotics equipment.

Governor Riley was joined at the announcement by Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck, Director Ed Castille of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), State Senators Arthur Orr and Tom Butler, State Representatives Micky Hammon and Mac McCutcheon, and several local leaders from Decatur, Athens, Morgan County and Limestone County.