1 What role did partnerships with area organizations play in securing Indiana Tech°®¶¹app™s $21.5 million Lilly Endowment grant?
A: The name of Lilly°®¶¹app™s grant opportunity °®¶¹app” College and Community Collaboration °®¶¹app” demonstrates the high level of importance Lilly placed on colleges partnering with area organizations to improve the quality of life in their communities.
Our proposal was developed with assistance from partners including the City of Fort Wayne, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Northeast Indiana (NEI), Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, FWCS°®¶¹app™ Amp Lab, Ancora, and the Don Wood Foundation, along with regional companies such as Parkview, Zimmer Biomet, Fort Wayne Metals and Ford Meter Box.
This enabled us to provide a strong proposal to Lilly, supported by highly credible and accomplished partners.
2 How will the Lilly Endowment-funded advanced manufacturing and innovation center at Electric Works support local businesses and entrepreneurs?
A: As implied by its name °®¶¹app” Junction 36, Powered by Indiana Tech °®¶¹app” our project will connect businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to resources they need to succeed. Corporate partners will find a talent pipeline to meet their needs in today°®¶¹app™s economy, in which every job is now a technology job. Smaller and mid-sized companies will find a place to learn about the technology and advanced manufacturing processes that will make them more competitive. Entrepreneurs will find equipment and support to develop prototypes and conduct testing. Individuals of all ages will find learning opportunities to prepare them for success in our evolving regional economy.
3 In what ways does the Talent Connection program aim to enhance talent retention and development within the Fort Wayne region?
A: The Talent Connection program will have several key elements.
We aim to build on our partnerships with the Amp Lab and others to offer opportunities to K-12 students to gain knowledge and credentials in robotics, AI, engineering technology and more. We°®¶¹app™re developing new microcredential and certificate programs to help adult students advance into better careers with area employers. Finally, we°®¶¹app™re creating a fellowship program, open to college students nationwide, pairing recent graduates with project partners to work on business and community challenges over one to two years.
These engagements will solve regional challenges by attracting and keeping talent here in northeast Indiana.
4 How does the $21.5°®¶¹app„mil-lion investment in the Zollner Engineering Center align with Indiana Tech°®¶¹app™s broader goals in STEM education?
A: The new Zollner Engineering Center is helping us expand the reach and impact of our STEM programs. With the state-of-the-art facilities now available, we°®¶¹app™ve developed new certificate and degree programs in AI, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, mechatronics and robotics, engineering technology and others.
Combined with our talented faculty and students, the facilities also enable us to assist entrepreneurs and partners with research, product development, prototyping and other services. We see Junction 36 building on that impact, taking it to the next level and providing a place for innovation and a regular supply of talent that maximizes our strengths in STEM education.
5 Can you elaborate on how Junction 36 will contribute to regional economic development?
A: Junction 36 will impact our regional economy in three areas: talent attraction and development; innovation and business support; and business attraction.
Through microcredential, certificate and degree programs offered there, at our main campus and online, we°®¶¹app™ll grow the pipeline of STEM-savvy talent needed by our regional employers and economy.
Entrepreneurs and established companies will have access to the equipment and innovation services they need to make their ideas and operations globally competitive.
In turn, the facilities, services and talent available through Junction 36 will make for compelling selling points for companies looking to locate and expand here in northeast Indiana.
