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No Boundaries for Immerge Technologies The Immersive Visualization System display wall consists of 73 display nodes each featuring a 19-inch, flat-screen monitor. This configuration allows the IVS to produce previously unachievable display resolutions in a fully immersive environment.  With the launch of their debut product, OmniLab, Immerge Technologies, Inc. founders recognize the challenges of taking a product from idea to market. A shared vision for success and unique approach to management have quickly launched Immerge into an efficient organization focused on creating technology solutions to improve daily life. Immerge Technologies was founded in 2004 by three computer science graduates from James Madison University, Joshua Blake, Justin Creasy and Marcus O'Malley. The idea to start a business came about after two of their undergraduate projects received national recognition. While seniors at JMU, the trio received national publicity by winning the Microsoft Windows ChallengE Competition for developing an airport security checkpoint device. They also created the Immersive Visualization System (IVS), which is now part of JMU's Center for Computational Mathematics and Modeling. The IVS is currently used by students and faculty for research in mathematics and applied mathematics, especially in the visualization of large complicated data sets. Through the start-up process, Immerge's young entrepreneurs have adapted well to their individual job roles and focused their talents on technology development for niche markets. Through open dialogue they have quickly become a "well-oiled machine" in balancing deadlines and striving for perfection in product development. More www.immergetech.com Related links: Harrisonburg Department of Economic Development Harrisonburg Downtown Technology Zone Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center World Airwaves to Build First IPv6 Municipal Network in Harrisonburg World Airwaves, the wireless Internet division of Winchester-based Visual Link, has been awarded a franchise agreement from the city of Harrisonburg to build the country's first native IPv6 municipal network. (Reprinted from the Northern Virginia Daily February 22, 2006) Read the article. "Innovation at Work" The sign hanging in the IncisionLab reads "Innovation at Work." This is an appropriate mantra for a company dedicated to "enabling better patient outcomes through innovative incision technologies."  IncisionTech, a Tier I supplier to medical device OEM's, may be a new name in the medical device industry, but their expertise in incision technologies comes from the proven success of parent company, Specialty Blades, Inc. Specialty Blades, Inc., located in Staunton, VA, is a recognized leader in the production of precision cutting and piercing components for surgical and industrial use. Driven by a growing need for high performance cutting solutions for minimally invasive surgery techniques, IncisionTech was formed to focus solely on OEM medical device applications. IncisionTech partners with medical OEM's to help overcome the pressures of new medical device development. The company offers engineering assistance, rapid prototype development and contract manufacturing in surgical markets including cardiovascular, endoscopic, orthopedic, ophthalmic, and general surgery applications. (Press release November 18, 2005) More www.IncisionTech.com Tour the IncisionLab Fermentation Tanks in Route to Coors Shenandoah Brewery Now through the end of March, a convoy of trucks carrying some of the largest loads to travel on Virginia highways will travel 105 miles from King George County to the Coors Shenandoah facility in Elkton. The tanks will part of an expansion at the Elkton facility where Coors is building its first east coast brewer.  Lockwood Brothers, Inc. will move 40 stainless steel fermenting tanks from a farm in King George County where they have been stored in preparation for the move to Elkton. The tanks, made in Ziemann, Germany, were shipped to the U.S. and barged up the Rappahannock River from Hampton Roads last fall. Each tank is approximately 70 feet long, 21 feet in diameter and 70,000 pounds, requiring extraordinary measures to ensure minimal disruption to traffic along the convoy route. (Press release February 14, 2006) More View map of Route. Staunton's 8th Annual Victorian Festival Step back in time and take a stroll through historic downtown Staunton at the 8th Annual Victorian Festival, April 29 & 30. Enjoy Victorian Era music by the Stonewall Brigade Band, horse drawn carriage rides and a Victorian High Tea. Revelers in Victorian attire can join Queen Victoria's processional and take part in the Victorian fashion show. Prizes will be award to the best costume.  The festival's opening ceremonies will be held at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. This will be the first opportunity for the public to view the newly renovated Victorian era Eakleton Hotel built in 1894. The center features two climate-controlled art galleries, on-site research facilities, classroom and conference rooms, a museum store, a catering kitchen, and the offices of the Historic Staunton Foundation, Staunton Augusta Art Center, and Augusta County Historical Society. The festivities will continue on Saturday evening at the Grand Victorian Ball in the historic Stonewall Jackson Hotel. The 1924 hotel was recently renovated to provide modern conveniences while preserving its charm and historical character. The hotel was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as Virginia's first winner of the Great American Main Street Award.  While in Staunton, don't miss the Virginia Hot Glass Festival. Watch art happen at Virginia's only festival devoted to hot glass artistry. The Hot Glass Festival is held In Conjunction with Staunton's Victorian Festival at Sunspots Glassblowing Studios, Middlebrook Avenue at Lewis Street. Click for more information. www.sunspots.com/VA_Hot_Glass_Fest.htm. Related links: City of Staunton City of Staunton Economic Development The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Shenandoah Shakespeare's American Shakespeare Center & Blackfriar's Playhouse American Frontier Culture Museum Staunton Augusta Farmers Market Preston Lake... A Place to Live, Work, Shop and Play  The Hine Group recently unveiled plans for Preston Lake, a "new urban" community located south west of Harrisonburg, Virginia. At Preston Lake, the perfect mixture of residential, retail, office, and recreational amenities come together to meet the needs of every day life. This 'New Urbanist' development has been inspired by America's finest architectural styles and crafted for today's lifestyle. Click for more information on Harrisonburg newest community. Looking for Adventure? Make the Shenandoah Valley your travel destination. Explore the Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway, visit an historic battlefield, take in one of the many festivals or go antiquing down historic Route 11. There's always an adventure waiting in the Shenandoah Valley. Shenandoah Valley Travel Association Crossroads of the Shenandoah Valley Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services Lexington and Rockbridge Area Visitors Center Staunton Performing Arts Center 511 Traveler Information Service While in the Shenandoah Valley be sure to take in the beauty of Virginia's Highlands. Bath County, Hot Springs and Warm Springs Highland County and Monterey Garth Newel Music Center to Host Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival The Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival will feature two days of music on the side of Warm Springs Mountain. Friday, an evening of swinging jazz in the intimate concert hall. Saturday, bring your own blanket and chair for the first ever outdoor festival on the front lawn. The great music will sound even better with Chef Ed's cooking and beautiful views through Dunn's Gap.  Garth Newel Music Center is hosting the Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival, June 9 & 10. Located between Warm Springs and Hot Springs in beautiful Bath County, there is no better place to relax and enjoy a concert. Garth Newel Music Center offers a combination of world-class artistry, gourmet food, friendly people, and breathtaking scenery. With over 50 concerts each year, Garth Newel is among the most active chamber music organizations in the United States. Performing the music as it was intended – in a chamber for small, intimate audiences – makes Garth Newel a premier chamber music venue. The audience truly appreciates the exchange and spontaneity of the musicians as well as the depth and range of the music. The Mission The mission of Garth Newel is to share, explore and celebrate the infinite variety of chamber music in an intimate setting of natural beauty. This mission is nourished and sustained through high-quality performances, educational programs, and personal interaction among musicians and guests. In addition to public concerts, our education events include the Summer Student Fellowship Program for outstanding young instrumentalists (ages 18-26) interested in learning the nuances of chamber music, and the Amateur Chamber Music Retreat. For more information visit www.garthnewel.org Related links: Bath County Chamber of Commerce The Homestead Resort |
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Shenandoah Innovations Corporate Sponsors: Countryside Service Company Staunton, VA (540) 886-6155 Land sales and development, industrial build-to-suit opportunities in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties. propertybycountryside.com InterChange Harrisonburg, VA (540) 433-1900 Warehousing, flex space, logistics and land development in the Shenandoah Valley. Inland port services. www.interchangeco.com Verizon, (Economic development contact Jeff Merriman) Richmond, VA (804) 772-1913 A full range of telecommunication services serving Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. www.verizon.com
Lees Commercial Carpets, a division of Mohawk Industries Inc., will invest $26.6 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Rockbridge County. The expansion project will create at least 25 new jobs and necessitate retraining for 150 current jobs. (Press release February 21, 2006) More The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative is purchasing 84 acres along the Norfolk-Southern Railroad north of Harrisonburg to build a $5 million grain storage facility and a future feed mill. Rockingham County will apply for state funding to help build access roads and a rail spur for the project. (Daily News-Record January 13, 2006) More Coors Brewing Company announced an additional $24 million investment to expand its Rockingham County facility. The expansion creates eight new jobs and will allow Coors to improve production efficiency through the addition of a new high-speed line. This announcement follows Coors' announcement in August 2004 to open a brewery at the Shenandoah facility. Total combined investment at the Elkton facility will be more than $200 million between 2004 and 2007. (Press release January 6, 2006) More Vision Technology Group of Harrisonburg announced plans to further partner with CISCO to offer the latest in CISCO's network security and telecommunications product line to provide a coordinated effort to bring VOIP technology to clients with the assurance that VTG has combined the components and the technology for optimum performance. (Press release December 12, 2005) More Dynamic Aviation, a leading provider of leased and operated Beechcraft King Airs throughout the world, will invest $4.1 million to expand their aircraft modification and maintenance facility at Bridgewater Airport bringing over 200 jobs to Rockingham County. (Press Release December 5, 2005) More Tenneco/Walker Manufacturing Company will invest approximately $6.6 million to expand its current Harrisonburg automotive exhaust systems manufacturing facility. As part of this capital project, Tenneco plans to consolidate its distribution components from its Rockingham County distribution center into the Harrisonburg campus. (Press release November 28, 2005) More Specialty Blades, Inc. to invest $6 million to expand Staunton facility. The company manufactures precision-cutting and piercing components for surgical and industrial use. The project will create 25 new jobs. Specialty Blades, Inc. received a $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund and workforce training assistance from the Virginia Department of Business. (Press release November 18, 2005) More The Harrisonburg Innovation Center has joined forces with six incubators across the nation to form the TANS Network. This unique new network of business incubators will focus the power of entrepreneurship to address critical technology challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, intelligence community, state/local government, and major corporations. (Press release November 1, 2005) More
Old Dominion Hospitality Group will lead the development of a $7.5 million conference center in Waynesboro. The Best Western Inn & Suites Conference Center will include 75 guest rooms, including 25 suites with living rooms and kitchens. The conference facility will feature the latest videoconferencing and whiteboard technology. The News-Virginian February 2, 2006) More A $1 million renovation to Staunton's landmark Palmer House is complete and ready for occupancy. Vacant for 15 years, the 112 year old hotel designed by noted architect T. J. Collins now features retail storefront on the ground level and three upper levels for professional offices. The Palmer House is located on Beverly Street in Staunton's Enterprise Zone. (Madison Monroe January 27, 2006) More The City Produce Exchange building, located in the Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District, is undergoing redevelopment. The building owner has engaged Frazier Associates, known for their award winning historic redevelopment, to design Class A office space and a restaurant on the lower level and 28 loft apartments on the upper floors. (Press release November 4, 2005) More
James Madison University Integrated Science and Technology Professor, Dr. Christie-Joy Brodrick, has been selected to receive one of the Society of Automotive Engineers International's Vincent Bendix Automotive Electronics Engineering Awards. The award will be presented during the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Michigan, April 3-6, 2006. (JMU CISAT News) More Virginia Tech researchers receive 17 patents for energy and health inventions in 2005 including two that received R&D 100 awards. (Press release March 1, 2006) More The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council and James Madison University Department of Economic Development are spearheading a collaborative broadband study to determine the state of broadband availability and cost. A pilot survey for a test area has been conducted. The goal of the study is to create a geographic picture of Internet access and service gaps. (Shenandoah Valley Technology Council February 2006) More
Mary Baldwin College released a vision plan that will carry the college through its bicentennial in 2042. The plan, Transforming Our Future 1842-2042, provides a master plan for creating a connected physical environment that will support academic, social, and spiritual goals. (Press release March 7, 2006) More Virginia Military Institute in Lexington will host the Environment Virginia Symposium on April 18-20. Governor Kaine's newly appointed environmental team, along with over 700 environmental professionals, will attend the conference. The conference will bring together the public and private sectors to resolve Virginia's most urgent environmental issues; this year's theme is "Linking Economic and Environmental Health: It's Everybody's Business." (Press release March 3, 2006) More Blue Ridge Community College received a $1.937 million federal grant for advanced manufacturing and distribution training. BRCC competed with applicants nationwide and was the only Virginia community college to receive one of the 70 funded grants. (Press release October 21, 2005) More James Madison University launched its first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, setting a goal to raise $50 million to support teaching and learning at the predominantly undergraduate university and to complete the fundraising drive in 2008 when Madison marks its 100th year. (JMU Media Relations, March 15, 2006) More
Martin Lightsey, founder and chairman of Specialty Blades, Inc. and IncisionTech, in Staunton, Virginia, was recognized by Virginia Business Magazine, as one of 20 business leaders in Virginia having a transforming effect on their industry or regional economy. (Virginia Business Magazine March 2006) More The Honorable John W. Knapp, Sr., Mayor of the City of Lexington and President Emeritus of Virginia Military Institute and retired Major General in the U.S. Army was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority. More The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center has named Mensel Dean this year's small business veteran of the year. The award recognized veterans who have made a significant contribution to Virginia's economy by supporting small business. Dean is a partner with PBGH, LLP specializing in small-business consulting. (Shenandoah Valley Business Journal December 2005) More
Lockheed Martin awards Virginia Panel Corporation the Distinguished STAR Supplier Award for performance excellence in quality, delivery, affordability and management. VPC's rating of 100% quality and 99.99% delivery was one of the highest ratings ever received. (Press release January 12, 2006) More James Madison University is ranked among the "best values" of U.S. public colleges and universities based on quality and cost by the publishers of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. The university was included in the top-100 listing based on such quality measures as admission rates, student-faculty ratios, four- and six-year graduation rates, instruction costs per student and spending on library resources. (JMU News October 16, 2005) More
In December, Massanutten Resort opened the first East Coast indoor water park in Rockingham County. The $30 million project covers 33 acres and includes twelve indoor and three outdoor water features. The facility also houses a retail area, restaurants, a lounge and a large video arcade with more than 150 games. (Massanutten Resort) More |
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Shenandoah Valley Partnership | 540-568-3100 | svp@jmu.edu Copyright 2005 Shenandoah Valley Partnership, all rights reserved. |
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