UNIVERSITY TO HONOR REP. BLUNT DURING JORDAN VALLEY INNOVATION CENTER GRAND OPENING

Missouri State University issued the following news release:

Rep. Roy Blunt and Missouri's Director of Economic Development Greg Steinhoff will be the featured speakers at the May 30 naming ceremony and grand opening for Missouri State University's new Roy Blunt Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC). The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on the north side of the JVIC building, 524 N. Boonville Ave. The public is invited to attend.

At its December 2006 meeting, the Missouri State Board of Governors voted to name the Center in honor of Blunt (R-Missouri) in recognition of his support and for his leadership in providing federal funding for the facility. Other speakers at the ceremony will include Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel, as well as representatives from the City of Springfield, Greene County, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the university. Refreshments and tours of the new facility will follow the ceremony.

"The grand opening is a time for the university to showcase a new, state-of-the-art center that will be the home for a number of leading-edge research partnerships and aid in the revitalization of Springfield and southwest Missouri," Nietzel said. "The naming of the building is an appropriate way to say thank you to Congressman Blunt for his continuous support of JVIC and Missouri State University."

JVIC, which occupies the former Missouri Farmers Association milling facility in downtown Springfield, now houses the university's Center for Applied Science and Engineering (CASE), the Center for Biological and Life Sciences (CBLS), JVIC, Inc., the nonprofit arm of the center, and offices and research space for four JVIC senior corporate affiliates.

The university and its corporate partners will focus on applied research in biomaterials, nanotechnologies, advanced technologies, genomics/proteomics, biosystems software engineering and biomedical instrument development.

Blunt was instrumental in helping the City of Springfield acquire the mill as a Brownfield project. Since then, the Congressman's support was key to securing more than $14 million in federal funds for Phase I and Phase II renovations of the building.

In fiscal years 2005 and 2006, Blunt also helped secure more than $14 million for defense-related research projects for CASE.

"JVIC offers a tremendous opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience by working with the corporate partners on the various research projects," said Dr. Jim Baker, the university's vice president for research and economic development.

JVIC currently supports 46 full-time staff, graduate students, corporate research scientists and associate faculty. The center has employed roughly 40 undergraduate students since its inception.

Contact: Jim Baker, 417/836-8501.