2008-04-14 23:58:34 -
- A new North American hub for advanced manufacturing is forming in the deep south Texas region known as "Rio South Texas." Pushing the movement is an alliance of 60 business, education, economic development, industry, finance and government partners that form the North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative.
The NAAMREI partners set out to speed up the
time it takes to turn ideas into finished products. The focus is on helping companies develop next-generation products for aerospace, automotive, industrial, medical, consumer electronics and other key markets.
The first phase of the NAAMREI plan was completed with the April 11 opening of the Rapid Response Manufacturing Center at The University of Texas-Pan American.
The center, directed by Dr. John Lloyd, provides services and expertise in four primary categories - research, development and demonstration (RD&D); education; innovation and entrepreneurship; and technology-based business incubation.
The center is an education component of NAAMREI. Joining UTPA as lead education agencies are South Texas College and the Region One Education Service Center. They, along with five neighboring colleges, will recruit and train the skilled workforce needed for the advanced manufacturing infrastructure.
A corporate summit for NAAMREI partners followed the center opening celebration. Emily de Rocco, senior vice-president of the National Association of Manufacturers, was among the guest speakers.
She said a qualified workforce is needed in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the world market and applauded the group for its strong education component.
"Job training institutes need to be integrated," de Rocco said. "You are on the ground floor with the opportunity to show us how to do it."
Keith Patridge, president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, sees NAAMREI as a way to help his community and manufacturing companies compete in the global arena.
"The world around us is dynamic and nations, communities, companies and individuals must also be dynamic to avoid being left behind," he said.
U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa shared his strong feelings for the initiative.
"This will be the new Silicon Valley for manufacturing and technology," he said.
NAAMREI will tie together 41 industrial parks across the Rio South Texas Region, which borders Mexico. Services will be provided through a central complex being built on an 80-acre site donated by the City of McAllen.
For NAAMREI
Wanda Garza, 956-872-2770
www.naamrei.org
