The groundbreaking ceremony for the Richard Desich SMART Commercialization Center for Microsystems at Lorain County Community College took place last Friday. The new 46,000-square-foot building, will focus on the commercialization of sensors and microsystems.
Director of the SMART Center Matthew Apanius said that they will be working to commercialize tiny technology. The center will focus on Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems, or MEMS, and microsystem packaging, testing, reliability and lifespan.
Speakers at the groundbreaking included U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Mark Kvamme, president of JobsOhio, and Richard Desich, LCCC trustee, for whom the new center is named. Richard Desich said that everything he had ever tried to help with at this college has been a partnership: A partnership with the state, a partnership with the college, a partnership with private industry. With partnerships, things can happen.
Senator Brown said that this will help to make Ohio the go-to place in the United States for sensor commercialization. Brown added that it was an important manufacturing area of an important manufacturing state.
Sensors are the heart of everything said Mark Kvamme. He added that it was great to see a man like Richard Desich, who has been so successful, give back to the community. He challenged everyone to give back and make sure in the future people are talking about 'MEMSville' right here in Lorain County.
LCCC President Dr. Roy A. Church said that this resource builds a bridge between the research and discovery expertise at regional universities and industries and the marketplace. It fills a much needed gap in the continuum and positions Lorain County as a hub for this activity in the Midwest.