New Center Advances Virginia's Research Climate

SRI International's new research facility in Virginia will eventually create more than 100 new high-paying jobs and open the door to future R&D expansions in the state.

By Michelle Janowitz

new center advances virginia's research climate Virginia will be adding another facility to its R&D stable now that SRI International-an independent, nonprofit research institute-has decided to establish a new Center for Advanced Drug Research (called CADRE) in the Rockingham Center for Research and Technology in Rockingham County, VA. It is anticipated that by the end of the first 10 years of operation, the project will create more than 100 new jobs with an average annual salary of $85,000.

"SRI is growing strategically by locating near its clients and talented professionals," says Curtis Carlson, Ph.D., president and CEO, SRI. "The Shenandoah Valley offers SRI operational support, collaboration with academic institutions, proximity to the Washington, DC metropolitan area, and a high quality of life. A new center focused on advancing the state-of-the-art in drug research will enhance our efforts to improve the productivity of the pharmaceutical industry, help our nation respond to bio-threats, and develop life-saving treatments for neglected and orphan diseases."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, Rockingham County, the city of Harrisonburg, and James Madison University to secure the project for Virginia; the Commonwealth appropriated $3 million in fiscal year 2006 to initiate the project. Governor Timothy Kaine will submit a funding request for $12 million of the remaining $19 million commitment to SRI for General Assembly approval in the 2008 budget.

CADRE will partner with James Madison University and other Virginia institutions in its research efforts. SRI also plans to eventually add other high-technology programs in areas such as homeland security, engineering, nanotechnology, energy, information technology, and education at this site.

The Place to Be for R&D

• Virginia is home to 26 federal R&D facilities, including 14 Department of Defense research centers, the new Homeland Security Institute, NASA Langley Research Center, DOE's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and the FAA's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development.

• Seven university research parks offer private companies opportunities for co-location and cooperative relationships with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Medical College of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, George Mason University, and Old Dominion University.

• Several private non-profit research institutes have established centers in Virginia: The National Institute of Aerospace in Hampton; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Loudoun County; and the Carilion Biomedical Institute in Roanoke.

• Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Northern Virginia is a unique new biomedical research complex modeled after the successful collaborative science centers in Europe. The complex will house and support 300 scientists across a wide range of disciplines engaged in biomedical research.

Virginia Fast Facts

Population (2005): 7,567,465
Largest Cities (2005): Virginia Beach, 438,415; Norfolk, 231,954; Chesapeake, 218,968; Arlington, 195,965; Richmond, 193,777
Targeted Industries: Food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics/polymers, IT, finance and insurance, biotechnology, nanotechnology, R&D, energy, automotive, aerospace, global logistics
Key Incentives: Governor's Opportunity Fund, workforce services, Virginia Investment Partnership Grant fund

virginia research and development faciltiies and university parks

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