In partnership with the University and other top commonwealth higher education institutions, Rolls-Royce broke ground Monday on its new facility in Prince George County. The facility is expected to provide participating schools with significant research, employment and internship opportunities, leading to job creation across Virginia.
After learning that the automotive and aircraft engine manufacturer was planning to construct a new U.S. plant, the University in partnership with Virginia Tech and the Virginia Community College System drafted a proposal to bring the plant to Virginia, Engineering Dean James Aylor said. In all, the commonwealth is investing about $40 million into the project, which will provide professorships, financial support for graduate students and funds for renovation of undergraduate and research laboratories at the University and Virginia Tech.
"Basically, the state money will be matched with additional Rolls-Royce money to define some research topics of interest to Rolls-Royce," he said, adding that the University will come up with the topics and perform subsequent research.
The project will fund the construction of another facility: The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which will be in Petersburg, Va. and will benefit students and professionals in the field of mechanical engineering. Aylor noted that this facility will be open to any party; though the commonwealth, the University and Virginia Tech are the co-founders, "anyone who wants to be part of that research center can join that activity," he said.
Thomas Loehr, executive vice president for Crosspointe Operations for Rolls-Royce, said the company is pleased not only with the new research outlets, but also with the market for new employees that the University and Virginia Tech communities will provide.
Commerce School Dean Carl Zeithaml shared Loehr's enthusiasm.
"The new facility represents a major investment by Rolls-Royce by Virginia and the University and will provide our students with new job opportunities," he said.
Rolls-Royce has been a corporate sponsor of the Commerce School since 2003, and sponsors the third-year core curriculum. Zeithaml said he looks forward to a new phase of the two organization's partnership.
"We will continue to provide them for talent with their business function, and hope to work with engineering students to provide them with business skills so they can be even more a tool to Rolls-Royce," he said.
Set on more than 1,000 acres of land, the facility gives the company "a large platform to grow [on]," Loehr said. The construction, which started Monday, will continue in staggered phases and is expected to be complete in about 12 months.
-Bailey Disselkoen contributed to this article
Read More
The ‘Batten Curve’ — what’s the big deal?
By Bennett Galper and Nina Broderick | YesterdayBatten students are also involved in conversations about potential policy changes, with some taking an active role in advocacy efforts.
UJC sees “major influx” of cases with 38 adjudicated so far this term
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoAlongside an increase in cases, the Committee saw increased interest during recruitment
Shots fired reported on 800 block of Hardy Drive
By Thomas Baxter | 3 days agoLongo said to avoid the area for the time being.
