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MSU, PACCAR officials initiate talks on research possibilities |
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Friday, 18 May 2007 |
Face-to-face meetings between Mississippi State leaders and PACCAR, Peterbilt's parent company, have taken place and more discussions are planned, a university official said Thursday.
By PAUL SIMS
Starkville Daily News
Kirk H. Schulz, vice president for economic development for MSU, answered questions about university officials' interaction with PACCAR before and after his address at an economic development forum on the MSU campus Thursday.
PACCAR will build a $400 million diesel engine manufacturing plant near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Lowndes County and employ 500 people with the possibility of 800 workers, officials announced last week.
MSU and PACCAR officials met Tuesday, and the university officials showcased MSU's capabilities at the Bagley College of Engineering, the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and the College of Business and Industry, Schulz said.
They stressed that they work with universities close by their facilities, he said.
"At this point, they will work with research and development," Schulz said, but regarding "a facility, that's still under discussion."
Other interactions are planned.
"We will have some additional follow-up visits," Schulz said, adding that one of them will be an event hosted with the help of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
During his address, Schulz noted that MSU has collected several information resources on its Corporate and Community Relations website, located at http://www.ccr.msstate.edu/.
The information found on the website includes details about continuing education, recruiting students and graduates, entrepreneurship and the sponsoring and licensing of research and innovative ideas.
The university works to develop new technology, find ideas to build into spin-offs, attract new business and help existing firms, Schulz said.
A notable example of an MSU spin-off is SemiSouth.
The company, located in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park, develops silicon carbide-based materials and electrical components for use in several applications.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 May 2007 )
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