CU-ICAR Center for Emerging Technologies brings new dimension to the automotive research campus

Published: June 4, 2010

Architects' rendering of the Center for Emerging Technologies. image by: Clemson University

GREENVILLE — Clemson University broke ground Friday for the Center for Emerging Technologies at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), and officials said the first multi-tenant building on the research campus adds an important component to the campus community and its service to the automotive industry.

"Entrepreneurs and their innovative problem-solving are crucial to the automotive industry's ability to change and improve," Clemson University President James F. Barker said. "This building, which offers space for emerging companies in the transportation and energy sectors to develop technologies based on Clemson research or technologies that complement the research of our faculty and students, completes the innovation chain from the laboratory to the consumer end-user of technology."

The 60,000-square-foot center represents a total investment of $11 million. The Clemson University Real Estate Foundation received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. The Center for Emerging Technologies will be built on property adjacent to the AutoPark and tower housing the CU-ICAR Partnership Office, St. Francis VRUM fitness center and Carolina First Gallery in Technology Neighborhood One.

"The Center for Emerging Technologies will provide office, administrative and laboratory space for both new companies and existing companies that wish to expand their base in the United States or the Southeast," CU-ICAR Executive Director Robert Geolas said. "This is a critical facility. We have provided some space to new companies in our existing facilities, but the demand far exceeds what we are able to offer. As new discoveries come out of the Campbell Graduate Engineering Center and other partners' research and development activities, this building will help us grow South Carolina's knowledge economy."

The city of Greenville also partnered with the university in the Economic Development Administration grant application and was instrumental in the funding. Mayor Knox White congratulated CU-ICAR on behalf of the city.

"The Center for Emerging Technologies is another major step forward for the CU-ICAR campus," he said. "This facility will serve as a launching pad for leading-edge companies in the transportation and energy sectors while providing more job opportunities, investment in our community and keeping CU-ICAR and Greenville in the forefront internationally."

Both the city of Greenville and Greenville County supported the project by providing economic development incentives.

“This new Center for Emerging Technologies will bear directly on the essence of a vibrant free enterprise economy: entrepreneurs, innovation and market exposure," noted H.G. “Butch” Kirven Jr., director of the Greenville Area Development Corp. and chairman of the Greenville County Council. “This reflects the vision and world-class leadership provided by Clemson University and its International Center for Automotive Research."

Sage Automotive Interiors, a spinoff company started by former employees of Milliken and Co. who have purchased the company's automotive fabric division, signed a letter of intent to become the first tenant to occupy the center with a commitment to approximately 15,000 square feet of space.

Approximately 7,000 square feet in the center will be designated as what Geolas called a "technology café," incubator space for international companies. Part of the advantage for entrepreneurial companies will be the availability of cubicle or small office space with more flexible terms than a traditional long-term lease, Geolas said.

"The requirement of large financial investment in infrastructure can be an obstacle for cash-strapped new companies," he explained. "The availability of a 'soft-landing' site that does not require that kind of investment could make the difference between success and failure."

Construction of the Center for Emerging Technologies is expected to be complete by spring 2011.

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