Cyber News Now: Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative now closer to reality

AIKEN, S.C. (WFXG) - Imagine being able to work alongside engineering and cybersecurity experts. You don't have to imagine for long! That vision is now one step closer to reality at USC Aiken. USCA and the Department of Energy broke ground on the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) Tuesday, April 19 at the intramural field. 

This ground breaking ceremony indicates ground breaking opportunities. Students will be able to practice manufacturing, industrial practices, chemical manufacturing and advancing new technologies. Essentially, the building is centered around cybersecurity and engineering education. It's the result of a public-private partnership between the university and the DOE.

"This is a ground breaking that's more than turning over of the dirt." said Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken Distinguished Chancellor Emerita.

"It's going to be a brand new capability that allows us to bring industry, academia and national laboratory together." said Vahid Majiti, SRNL Director.

Together, the Department of Energy, Savannah River National Laboratory and USCA plan to make big research strides.

"How do we do manufacturing with minimal impact to the environment? With emphasizing the low energy applications? How do we create a secure supply chain that is not impacted by our adversaries? And this building, in a vision of the Department of Energy is going to do all of that and more." said Majiti.

North Wind Construction calls the $50M building innovative.

"It's basically a green building that we're putting up. So, there's so much, and then obviously going to support the research here so it's very flexible in the design so it can be modified for different missions that come up. So, it's not just a fixed configuration." said Brent Brooks, North Wind Construction President.

The project also allows growth in the local workforce. That's something Rep. Joe Wilson finds exciting. 

"These are real jobs right here and many jobs and thousands of jobs ultimately due to the research and training that's being done here." said Wilson.

The AMC will also play a role on a bigger platform. 

"A facility like this will be instrumental over the next few decades helping us build the pipework or pipeline that we need to be successful with our clean up and national security missions." said Ike White, Environmental Management Office Senior Advisor.

Work on the AMC begins summer 2022. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.