ARC Ceremony Marks Beginning of Construction and Partnerships

For any project to be successful, the cooperation of all involved is necessary. On Thursday, May 9, 1996, as the ground was being broken at Jefferson Lab for the new Applied Research Center (ARC), cooperation was the buzz word on everyone's lips.

The ground breaking for the ARC building is the dawning of an era of cooperation among industry, government, and universities. "The ARC building is not only giving us space, it is giving us valuable space where universities and Jefferson Lab staff can interact," said Jefferson Lab director, Hermann Grunder. The 120,000 square foot building will be leased in part by three local universities, Jefferson Lab, and industries. Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University, and the College of William and Mary have committed to leasing 30,000 square feet for research, development activities, and graduate training. Jefferson Lab has committed to leasing 35,000 square feet,and the Newport News Industrial Development Authority has reserved the remaining space for future industry partners.

The ceremony was led by Paul Miller, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Newport News, and featured speakers who were all instrumental in bringing the idea of the ARC building to fruition. All of the speakers stressed the importance of working together to make the City of Newport News and Hampton Roads a competitor in research and industry. "This building creates a clear understanding that Hampton Roads is on the cutting edge of technology," said Timothy Sullivan, President of the College of William and Mary.

City leaders are hoping the ARC building will attract state-of-the-art commercial businesses to this area. According to Newport News Vice Mayor, Joe Frank, attracting these businesses has the potential to change Newport News' reputation. "These businesses and scientific growth can change our city's blue collar image," says Frank. Newport News Mayor Barry Duval echoed Frank's statement saying, "The ARC building will bring the best minds in the world together to create better products and better service."

Underlying this cooperation among Jefferson Lab, industry, and universities is Jefferson Lab's Free Electron Laser Program. The FEL is a manufacturing tool using laser light. It will be used in industry as a powerful, versatile source for products involving fiber, films, metals, ceramics, and electronic materials. Each university will contribute to the laser program through research, laboratory facilities, and information systems. The ground breaking of the ARC building is a major step in the right direction for getting the FEL "off the ground."

Rebecca James, Director's Office Intern

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