Emerging Technology and Innovation Center in the Works
Many students have probably heard some buzz around the topic of the Emerging Technology and Innovation Center, or ETIC, which was initially slated to be built last year.
Some students protested to save Smith Hall, since the center would be built in its place. Then, plans for it were spontaneously suspended. But now, it appears the development of the new center is back on track.
After the slight delay, the ETIC is now in its pre-construction phase. With schematic designs underway, construction is now expected to begin this coming summer.
Plans for the building were originally put on hold last year when it was uncertain if the university would be able to secure enough money for the project at the time. However, now the ETIC will be receiving the necessary funding.
The new center, which could ultimately cost anywhere near $70 to $80 million to construct, will be primarily funded by state bonds, which fall outside of the school’s operating budget.
The school may also receive some funding for it from the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, which recently approved $4 million for the project. They gained interest in the center because of the research it will conduct in the field of nanotechnology and what it could do for the military. While this funding is not guaranteed at present, the university is optimistic about it.
Simply put, the center will be an academic research facility, fully equipped with state of the art technology. And while the ETIC is often referred to as the “nanotechnology building,” that will not be the only emerging technology studied.
Research will be conducted in many scientific areas, including nano and bio technology and manufacturing, as well as various life sciences. The goal for the center is to not just study one thing, but to be fluid and explore various technological fields.
“The lab space is dedicated to a type of research faculty that will move toward production,” Renae Lisa Claffey of the Office of Public Affairs said.
The building, which is expected to be about 80, 000 square feet, is currently expected to be located on the corner of University Avenue and the VFW highway.
Unfortunately, while it will stand for the rest of this year, it is most likely that Smith Hall will be knocked down to make room for the new facility. If construction is beginning as soon as this coming summer, it may be the hall’s last year.
One of the hopes with the ETIC is that when it is completed and the research begins, it will “generate spin-off companies,” as Lisa Claffey said. If the center succeeds in its research, it will eventually be a source of revenue for the University.
In addition to the ETIC, there may soon be another building under construction at UMass Lowell. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has constructed a plan which would give the university $1 million to put toward constructing a new, academic building to be located on South Campus.
It is expected to house classrooms, as well as offices for the Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Psychology departments. If the plan goes through, the ETIC and South Campus building will come together in a time where there has not been a new academic building built in over 33 years.
The Emerging Technology and Innovation Center is something that the university hopes will do good things. With the potential for groundbreaking research, and the likelihood that 300 jobs will be created over the next few years because of the center’s work, the ETIC looks as if it will help put UMass Lowell on the
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