(Danville, Va.) – The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) plans to build a 51,250-square-foot Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on the IALR campus. The innovative CMA will offer a platform for leading-edge business success specifically targeted at manufacturing companies establishing or expanding their presence in Southern Virginia.

Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR, said “this new Center for Manufacturing Advancement will allow us to continue these activities on a larger scale and to promote business success in a collaborative, innovative setting.”

The CMA, projected to open in 2021, will be built adjacent to the recently completed Kyocera SGS Tech Hub facility. It will feature two floors, offices, meeting rooms, areas to house support services and amenities for manufacturer tenants.

With few other regions currently offering a similar complement of services, the CMA is expected to serve as an important economic development tool and provide Virginia with a competitive edge in 21st century manufacturing.

The total cost is expected to be $25.5 million, which will be funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the Danville Regional Foundation.