DevelopmentArchive for the ‘’ Category

Caterpillar Celebrates Grand Opening of Data Innovation Lab at UI Research Park

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park 

Caterpillar Inc. announced today the grand opening of its first data innovation lab, located in Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The lab brings together resources from key fields for the company’s research and development (R&D) efforts, including engineering, computer science, operations research and statistics, to drive innovative development through data analysis. Today’s announcement builds upon work underway at Caterpillar’s existing simulation center, also located on the Urbana-Champaign campus, which operates in conjunction with the University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

Work at the new data innovation lab will focus on exploration of emerging and disruptive data-based technologies, as well as advanced analytics technologies, demonstrated through proof of concept projects.

“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our data innovation lab here at the University of Illinois and look forward to further collaboration with our university partners and researchers,” said Gwenne Henricks, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product  Development & Global Technology for Caterpillar. “By examining the world of data analytics, we can uncover hidden insights on how our customers use our products and services, and deliver that feedback to our product and customer support teams to drive better solutions and further our R&D efforts.”

“Caterpillar has been a tremendous partner with the U of I – ours is a strategic relationship that helps drive success at our respective institutions,” said University of Illinois Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Peter Schiffer. “The Research Park is a natural fit for a tech-focused company like Caterpillar, and this new innovation lab will leverage Illinois strengths in computing and data analysis in exciting ways.”

The new lab also expands upon the existing recruitment efforts with the university to engage future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent through additional research and development opportunities, and is a key component of the company’s innovation strategy. As work at the data innovation lab evolves, more information will be made available about the various activities that take place there. For more information on Caterpillar’s efforts, please view the following video: http://youtu.be/QfVIJD0Vd0Y.

About Caterpillar:

For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2013 sales and revenues of $55.656 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

Press:

Caterpillar Opens New Data Analysis Lab at U of I Research Park, WILL

World’s first opens in Research Park, WCIA 3 News

Caterpillar opens lab at UI research park, The News-Gazette

Ameren Innovation Center Opens at University of Illinois Research Park

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park 

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced that Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), a St. Louis-based Fortune 500 energy company, has opened an Innovation Center on campus. Ameren is the first major energy company to open an office at the University of Illinois Research Park.

The Ameren Innovation Center will collaborate with university students and faculty and other companies across multiple industries at the Research Park. The goal is to foster an exploratory environment that focuses on innovations to help Ameren better meet the future needs of its customers.

“By establishing an innovative and collaborative work center at a world-class research university with access to top students and faculty, we can better leverage information technology to seize business opportunities and improve our customer satisfaction,” said Mary Heger, vice president of Information Technology and Ameren Services Center and chief information officer, Ameren Services. “We also hope to develop a talent pipeline to help us continue to build a skilled workforce. This is important as we transition to smart grid technologies and explore future new energy services that may be wanted and needed by our customers.”

The Center is hiring for several positions and eventually plans to employ up to 12 students. Undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines will work on a part-time basis on projects ranging from data analytics and mobile applications to projects that focus on the needs of the utility of the future. Some of these projects will leverage Ameren Illinois’ Technology Application Center in Champaign, an on-grid testing facility for smart grid technologies that opened in August 2013. A full-time Ameren site manager will supervise the students and serve as liaison between the Innovation Center and the University of Illinois.

“The Ameren Innovation Center will give our students the opportunity to work on smart energy solutions for the Midwest and beyond,” said Chancellor Phyllis Wise. “Such real-world experiences are examples of the transformative educational opportunities at Illinois that grow from our leadership in engineering, computing and energy.”

The Research Park, located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign, provides an opportunity for technology-based businesses to collaborate with students and faculty. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Engineering is among the highest ranked in the nation, and is a highly sought after as a partner for pursuing information security for the energy industry.

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About Ameren

St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric delivery and transmission service as well as natural gas delivery service while Ameren Missouri provides vertically integrated electric service, with generating capacity of 10,300 megawatts, and natural gas delivery service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops regional electric transmission projects. Follow the company on Twitter @AmerenCorp. For more information, visit Ameren.com.

Press:

Ameren opens Innovation Center at Research Park, The Daily Illini

Ameren opens center in research park, The News-Gazette

Ameren opens Innovation Center in Research Park, WCIA 3 News

 

Unit 4 and Champaign County EDC to Host Twitter Chat on High School Referendum

Champaign County EDC is partnering with Champaign Unit 4 School District to host another #AskUnit4 Twitter chat discussing the upcoming high school facilities referendum.

The Champaign Board of Education voted Monday to place a question on the November 4th ballot to fund a $149 million bond issue to build a new Central High School and renovate and expand the current Centennial High School. More information on the referendum can be found at http://futurefacilities.champaignschools.org.

The #AskUnit4 chat will take place on Friday, August 15th from 12-1 pm on Twitter. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of District administrators about the new high school facilities referendum. Over the past two years, the EDC and Unit 4 have partnered on a series of #AskUnit4 chats on important community topics.

“We are excited to partner with the EDC to facilitate a community discussion about the upcoming referendum,” said Stephanie Stuart, Community Relations Coordinator for Champaign Unit 4. “Parents, students, and community members here in Champaign are talking about this issue, and we want to provide a space to provide factual information and answer their questions in real-time.”

Stuart and Carly McCrory, Communications Director for the Champaign County EDC, will both moderate the chat and various representatives from the Unit 4 School District will be on hand to answer questions.

All community members are invited to participate in the chat. To participate, log in to Twitter and search for hashtag #AskUnit4. To be included in the chat, the hashtag must be included in your tweets.

Follow Unit 4 (@Unit4Schools) and the Champaign County EDC (@CHCEDC) on Twitter.

If you have questions about the Twitter chat and/or would like more information, please contact:

Stephanie Stuart at stuartst@champaignschools.org, 217-531-0252
Carly McCrory at carly@champaigncountyedc.org, 217-359-6261

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Chat transcript (Storify): https://storify.com/unit4schools/askunit4-high-school-referendum

University of Illinois Honored With “Innovation & Economic Prosperity University” Distinction

Article Source: University of Illinois – OVPR

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) designated the University of Illinois an “Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University.” This designation, which is valid for five years, recognizes institutions that work to advance the economic well-being of their states, regions, and the nation through a variety of exemplary, innovative, and sustainable efforts.

As part of the IEP application process, the President’s Office led an institutional self-study to map out its broader innovation and economic development activities. Through this comprehensive review, which included interviews with units across our campuses, the University highlighted recent achievements, including improving the region’s manufacturing competitiveness, expanding entrepreneurial capacity, and engaging innovation clusters across the state. The review also honed in on unique growth opportunities.

“This process provided a unique opportunity for us to better understand the breadth and scope of our economic development efforts,” said University of Illinois President Robert A. Easter. “We thank APLU for recognizing the University’s accomplishments, and we look forward to more great things in the years ahead.”

 

Champaign County EDC Business Attraction: Choices Inc. to Open Office in Urbana, IL

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Choices, Inc. has chosen Champaign County as its new East Central Illinois service base. Choices signed with County Plaza in downtown Urbana after months of working with the EDC on choosing a new site to locate. The company will occupy roughly 6,500 square feet of office space and create 30 jobs in its first year.

“Choices is honored to have the opportunity to serve youth and families in East Central Illinois. Locating in Urbana provides great connectivity with bus routes and interstate access. The downtown commercial district will provide an excellent base for our employees; award-winning BBQ across the street is an added bonus. Thanks to the EDC for helping us understand the market and find a location.” — Todd Schroll, Executive Director, Illinois Choices LLC

“Choices has a strong, national reputation for working with youth and families involved in the child welfare system. We welcome Choices to downtown Urbana, and we think their staff will appreciate easy access to all the new restaurants and shops in our downtown.” — Mayor Laurel Prussing, Mayor of the City of Urbana

“This is a good addition to downtown Urbana as the City has focused its efforts to promote occupancy of underutilized space. We are happy to assist the EDC and the property owner in bringing Choices to Urbana and the broader community.” — Tom Carrino, Economic Development Manager, City of Urbana

“We live in a wonderful community and County Plaza is excited to bring a new business from out of town to downtown Urbana. I look forward to seeing Choices grow and succeed.” — Joe Petry, Owner of County Plaza

“We are fortunate that Choices Inc. has chosen Champaign County and Urbana as their base to serve the East Central Illinois region. The job density will bring disposable income to the area. It is a well-timed project of business growth in pursuit of the Champaign County EDC mission.” — Erik Kotewa, Deputy Director, Champaign County EDC

About Choices Inc.:

Choices Inc. coordinates care for youth involved in multiple social service systems. Choices goal is to keep youth in their homes and communities and to prevent further system involvement. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Choices serves more than 1,500 youth a day in five states, including Illinois. For more information about Choices, please contact Courtney Kasinger, Communication Director, at 317-205-8268 or ckasinger@ChoicesTeam.org.

Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Agency gearing up to help area youths, The News-Gazette

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