J.R. Love (left), assistant director of the University of Mississippi's Office of Economic Development and Insight Park; Allyson Best, director of technology commercialization; and William Nicholas, director of economic development and Insight Park, attend the opening of the Thad Cochran Mississippi Center for Innovation and Technology in Vicksburg. Submitted photo
New resource to link University of Mississippi research to startups, job creation
by Erin Garrett
A major technology center envisioned to spur entrepreneurship and connect research with industry and startups recently opened its doors in Vicksburg, backed by the University of Mississippi, ERDCWERX and other partners.
The Thad Cochran Mississippi Center for Innovation and Technology, or MCITy, is a $16 million project housed in a renovated 1930s building along the Mississippi River.
“MCITy will be a catalyst for economic growth by connecting university research with industry needs and entrepreneurial ventures,” said William Nicholas, the university’s director of economic development and Insight Park.
The 51,000-square-foot former hardware store features:
- A STEM education center
- An entrepreneurial center
- A workforce development center for STEM support training and internships
- A state technology transfer center.
MCITy is home to the Vicksburg regional efforts of the Mississippi Research Consortium, a partnership of the state’s four research universities: UM, the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson State University and Mississippi State University. The consortium aims to develop and sustain nationally competitive research programs across the state.
“MCITy is another important resource for our researchers and innovators to take their ideas and inventions and turn them into market-ready products and startup companies,” said Allyson Best, UM director of technology commercialization.
“By providing access to funding, business support services and opportunities to collaborate with industry and government partners, this unique center will catalyze innovation-led economic development and the creation of high-paying jobs in emerging fields.”
The center was created to advance Mississippi’s high-tech environment and invigorate an economically stressed area, Nicholas said.
“In order to accomplish this, the center will train a homegrown workforce, communicate government research organizations’ requirements, provide opportunities for technology startups and co-locate key economic development elements under one roof,” he said.
Nicholas said the university will contribute to this work by:
- Fostering research collaborations with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and other federal partners in Mississippi to grow innovation and high-demand jobs
- Advancing technologies to meet the mission-critical needs of the U.S. Department of Defense
- Accelerating technology transfer and supporting entrepreneurship at the center through the consortium’s partnership with ERDCWERX.
Ole Miss faculty, staff, and researchers have access to funds provided by the Mississippi Legislature to work with ERDC, the Department of Defense and ERDCWERX. For information about the center or grant-funded projects, contact williamn@olemiss.edu or amilhouse@olemiss.edu.
