The extra cash comes at a good time for the Alley, which is to break ground in the next two months on a $1.9-million headquarters, to be built on a two-acre site on Big Beaver Road, between John R and Rochester roads in the city. The facility is scheduled to be completed by the end of August, says Tom Anderson, director of Automation Alley's Technology Center. The 12,000-sf building will house about 10 Automation Alley employees.
The state grant follows hard on the heels of a $450,000 federal grant for completion of the new headquarters, which will house the Technology Center, Glima Affiliate Network and Automation Alley's consortium activities.
Executive director Ken Rogers says the $1.8 million will contribute to research efforts for companies developing auto-related products.
"It will take demonstrated technology to something that is commercialized," Anderson says. "Building a prototype, hiring a contract party evaluation or doing a field trial will give the potential customer confidence because they know the technology will work."
The Technology Center aims to further develop existing companies and create new ones by expanding products and services, Anderson says.
Automation Alley was able to finance the new technology center with state and federal grants and Local Development Financing Authority tax revenue from the City of Troy.
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