$1.35 Billion Project Announced, Supporting the U.S. Navy and Much More!

The combination of a bold vision, strategic planning, intentional investments and patience almost always leads to positive if not transformative results.

It was that combination that resulted in this month’s announcement of Microporous as anchor tenant at the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. That project – which includes $1.35 billion in capital investment and 2,015 jobs – will be transformative on its own, but Microporous’ decision to locate in Southern Virginia will also help draw even more industry to the 3,000+ remaining acres at the Megasite.

A big congratulations to all who have contributed to the development of the Southern Virginia Megasite and the recruitment of Microporous. I especially want to shout out IALR's Vice President of Economic Development Linda Green, who has spent many years working with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Danville, Pittsylvania County and other partners to improve this site and promote it to prospective businesses.

Microporous, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, announced it will create 2,015 new jobs and invest $1.35 billion to develop over 1 million square feet of facilities and become the first company to locate at the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill.

IALR is proud of the collaboration driving this region's growth and is pleased to welcome Microporous to Southern Virginia.

“Welcoming an industry leader with over 80 years of experience, yet at the forefront of industry innovations, as the first tenant in the Southern Virginia Megasite sets an inspiring precedent,” said Southern Virginia Regional Alliance Executive Director Linda Green.

“The Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence is able to be an interface between the government and the industrial base, and it's providing a lot of value.” - Aaron Weist, Additive Manufacturing Program Manager, Maritime Industrial Base

The U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), a linchpin in maritime technological advancement, is located inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement on the IALR campus. The AM CoE is critical to the U.S. Navy’s ambitious submarine production goals and has several success stories of prototyping and delivering mission-critical parts for ships and submarines much more quickly than traditional methods, such as castings and forgings, and supply chains could have.

Hear some of the stories of time and money saved and ships and submarines returned to service in this episode of Inside IALR with Jason Wells (IALR) and Jesse Geisbert and Aaron Wiest (Maritime Industrial Base).

Seven regional employers and five individual apprentices recently received recognition at the annual Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) Awards banquet. The awards honor champions of the Registered Apprenticeship model, from sponsoring organizations to innovative programs and remarkable individual apprentices.

“The ExTRA Awards highlight the dedication of our partners and apprentices in advancing workforce skills and building strong career pathways,” said IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal.

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program prepares adult learners for manufacturing careers that support the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). ATDM staff are also providing the hundreds of students who are participating in the program with the opportunity to contribute to nonprofits and organizations across the community.

“We’re trying to meet the needs of our students and meet the needs of the people in Danville and Southern Virginia at the same time. Many of these organizations help our students, so we are contributing to them as well.” – Sherlina Thomas, Ph.D., Assistant Director, ATDM Community Engagement and Support, IALR

The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning will offer several holiday-themed workshops in the coming weeks, including a 3D printed ornaments workshop and a winter painting class.
Megabytes Café will serve a customer appreciation lunch of fresh prime rib, twice-baked potatoes, rolls, green beans, salad and pie on Dec. 12. The cost is just $18.95 + tax.
The IALR campus will be closed for the holidays Dec. 23-Jan. 3. All regular activities and programs will resume on Jan. 6.
The Southern Piedmont Technology Council will host its annual Innovative Stars Banquet at the IALR Conference Center on Jan.15.