TMCNet: State aims to expand robotics site faster

[December 06, 2012]

State aims to expand robotics site faster

Dec 06, 2012 (The Decatur Daily - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The growth of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park could be larger than previously thought as state leaders examine ways to fund a combined phase 3 and 4 expansion.


"Gov. (Robert) Bentley today reaffirmed his commitment for moving expeditiously on a phase 3 and 4," Orr said Tuesday evening. "Right now, we're looking at several avenues for paying for it." Phase 3 will allow companies locating in Alabama to set up temporary manufacturing lines where newly hired workers can be trained on robotics.

Once a company's permanent site is finished, its production line can be relocated.

"This would allow them to go ahead and hire workers and train them on an assembly line, then break it down and transfer it to their facility," Orr said.

Phase 4 will be a paint facility, where employees for car makers such as Mercedes, Honda and Hyundai could be trained on high-tech paint processes.

"We'll now merge phases 3 and 4 into a larger building between phase 1 and 2," Orr said.

The expansion is part of Bentley's long-range plans for the center, his office said.

"The facility is outstanding, and the governor believes we need to complete it as soon as we have funds available," Bentley spokeswoman Jennifer Ardis said.

Expansion costs were unknown. Earlier estimates put phase 3 at $7 million to $8 million and phase 4 at $5 million to $6 million.

"If we merge the two, there will be a cost savings," Orr said.

A decision on funding should happen by the end of January or early February, he said.

State officials this year said the park's expansion hinged on the passage of Amendment 2 in November. It passed and allows the state to refinance existing bonds at lower interest rates, freeing up more money.

The park opened early this year on U.S. 31 in Tanner and is a partnership of Calhoun Community College and the Alabama Industrial Development and Training Institute. Phase 1 is the Robotic Maintenance Training Center, a 52,000-square-foot facility housing a robotics industrial training program.

Phase 2 is the Advanced Technology Research and Development Center. The 30,000-square-foot facility is designed for use by companies developing robotic technology.

___ (c)2012 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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