Advanced Technology Center Funded
HOUGHTON MI -- The U.S. Economic Development Agency has approved a $2.4 million grant to help build a new Advanced Technology Development complex at Michigan Technological University.
The grant will partially fund the construction of a building to house major student projects and to serve as a business incubator. Total construction costs are estimated at $3.5 million.
Ford Motor Company has made a $1 million pledge to help fund the building, as well. The university's Board of Control, which has capped building costs at $4 million, must still accept the grant and authorize the university to proceed with the project.
The Advanced Technology Development Complex would provide space for student design activities and some of the engineering enterprise projects. The enterprise involves students forming quasi-companies to do design projects or participate in competitions like FutureTruck.
The center will be located on land owned by Michigan Tech near the university's football and track complex.
The building will also serve as a business incubator, providing shared office support, fast Internet connections and shared office equipment. It could also include space for organizations that provide marketing support, business plan development and other planning functions.
Construction could begin as soon as the end of 2002.