Sizable grant awarded for upgrades to OU Innovation Center
Ohio University has been awarded a $1.15 million federal grant for upgrades to the OU Innovation Center, a business incubator located on West State Street in Athens.
The project will focus on upgrading the building’s infrastructure, including constructing a new biotechnology wet lab and light manufacturing space, air filtration improvements and access control improvements. Also, the funding will be used to expand virtual technology conferencing capacity and HVAC upgrades.
Ohio University will reportedly provide around $288,000 in matching funds.
The improvements are expected to eventually create 100 jobs. Tanya Conrath, associate director of the Innovation Center, said the jobs number is based on the past history of the center.
Conrath said office space will be converted into the biotechnology lab and the light manufacturing space. She said there has been a need for manufacturing space among some of the center’s client companies.
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