Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an EDPA Partner.
Instead of spending millions on a supercomputer, Auburn's tech wizards built one in-house
By Mitchell Kilpatrick
February 7, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn University took another step towards the top of collegiate research last week when it unveiled a $1 million campus supercomputer that was built in-house at the university. The supercomputer was created with the help of 30 research groups on campus, and is expected to bring in top researchers to the school.
The computer is named Hopper, after the late computer scientist Rear Adm. Grace Hopper. Researchers quickly assembled Hopper in one of the most secure buildings on campus.
"Just a few days ago, this entire floor was covered with components of this machine," Bliss Bailey, interim CIO of the university, told OA News. "There were hundreds of devices; there was packing material, cardboard boxes, plastic bags." The computer now stands whole and runs the length and height of a classroom wall.
Radiance Technologies wins contract with $1.058 billion value
By Lucy Berry
February 5,2016
Radiance Technologies is the recipient of a new contract from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command.
The company has been awarded a Development, Demonstration, and Integration Contract (D3I) with a ceiling value of $1.058 billion. Radiance's award focuses on the Domain 3 Program to provide enhanced warfighter capabilities to the Army.
The Multiple-Award Task Order Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract has a five-year base ordering period and two consecutive two-year option periods.
The retail giant has been testing the carts in some stores for the past year and has decided to roll them out to the vast majority of stores across the U.S. beginning in March.
Caroline's Cart can also be found in hundreds of other stores, including Publix, Kroger, Wegmans, ShopRite and more. The carts are in stores in every state, and in other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway.
Bham startup Vituro Health partners with Urology Centers of Alabama
By Alan Alexander - Reporter
A local startup offering a new form of treatment for prostate cancer has partnered with Urology Centers of Alabama.
Vituro Health is one of the first to begin utilizing high-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, which is a noninvasive form of treatment that limits certain side effects of other prostate cancer treatments.
The partnership will create a total prostate management program for patients of UCA, allowing qualified patients to receive HIFU treatment. Clete Walker, CEO of Vituro Health, said partnering with UCA will expand the availability of the service for patients from around the Southeast.
Alabama home sales totaling 3,686 units during December were an increase of 6 percent from the same month a year ago. Sales for the month continued to trend upward for the state, which bottomed out at 2,632 sales during December 2008.
Sales are 22 percent above the December five-year sales average (2010-14) of 3,016 units. Year-to-date sales through December were up 12 percent from 2014.
Nominations Now Open for the 2016 Alabama Innovation Awards
2015 Alabama Innovation Award Winners
Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, wants to recognize top innovation in the state. Do you know a company or individual that goes beyond the conventional?
SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2016 INNOVATION AWARDS
You can submit an application for your own company or another company in the following categories:
Corporate Innovator of the Year (small company, 1-50 employees)
Corporate Innovator of the Year (large company, 50+ employees)
Outstanding Achievement in Innovative Manufacturing
Outstanding Public-Private Partnership for Innovation
All winners will be recognized at the 6th Annual Alabama Launchpad Innovation & Entrepreneurship Conference on August 31.
Watch our video to hear the importance of the Alabama Innovation Awards from last year's Corporate Innovator of the Year (small company) recipient, Craig Parker, CEO Emergency CallWorks.
