Chippewa Valley receives state grant for nanotech incubator

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) will receive a $500,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to establish a $5.5 million nanotechnology incubator on their Gateway Manufacturing Technology Center in Eau Claire. Nanotechnology is the study and design of systems at the scale of the atom.

"Through this project, we are creating an environment where the nanotechnology industry can grow, expand, and reach its full potential," said Gov. Jim Doyle in making the announcement.

CVTC, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout have formed a partnership to grow, retain, attract and develop new technologies. In January 2005, CVTC began offering the first-year nanoscience degree, one of only two in the United States.

CVTC has proposed implementing a multidisciplinary NanoScience Innovation program and laboratory called NanoRite. NanoRite will help develop new industries and applications while providing trained workers in the emerging field of nanoscience technology.
The project includes of construction of a 40,000-square-foot NanoRite incubator at CVTC's existing Gateway Manufacturing and Technology Center in Eau Claire.

In addition to the incubator, NanoRite will house laboratories, classrooms, offices, and a reception area. It will also include a microfabrication laboratory that will be added to re-train existing machine tool workers for the medical device industry. Construction is expected to begin in fall of 2006.CVTC will use the Department of Commerce funds toward construction costs. Related WTN articles:
• Chippewa Valley Embraces Nanotechnology
• Chippewa Valley Technical College helps pioneer nanotech program, incubator