A $35 million Ohio Innovation Hub award will allow expansion of digital technologies R&D

A new Ohio Innovation Hub announced today announced by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will allow UDRI to ramp up its efforts in digital technologies, already well underway at the Research Institute’s Digital Transformation Center seedling. Bringing together partners in government, industry and academia, the DTC offers the space and resources to foster unprecedented opportunities for collaboration in the research and development of digital transformation technologies in support of the Air Force mission.

As an anchor tenant at the new hub, to be built on the site of the former Montgomery County fairgrounds, UDRI will amplify its development of new tools and resources for the Air Force’s digital materials management journey; provide partners with insights into the Air Force’s digital material management goals, allowing them to align their efforts with the its long-term vision; and help develop a highly skilled digital workforce through education and training for partners and providing them with access to students for internships and co-ops.

“The DTC will also new and developing businesses with whom we can collaborate to drive new solutions for our DOD and commercial partners,” said Sukh Sidhu, vice president for the University of Dayton Research Institute.

Key points about the onMain Innovation Hub:

• Led by onMain, other partners supporting the hub include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the University of Dayton Research Institute, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition. They will work toward making Dayton a global leader in the research and development of digital transformation technologies. 
• Partners will create digital technology to drive advancements in aviation and national defense, including supporting the digital transformation of the U.S. Air Force to revolutionize how it designs and manufactures everything from airplanes and missiles to sensors, hardware, software and more.
• By 2031, partners anticipate the hub will lead to 2,000 new jobs, more than $39 million in additional state and local income tax revenue and $500 million in new research dollars. 
• The hub will focus on developing, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce to sustain Dayton's digital technology advancements. Goals include a 25% increase in regional STEM graduate retention by 2031, 1,400 non-traditional STEM careers, 3,000 additional STEM certifications and degrees and 2,000 STEM internships. The center will offer hands-on learning for UD students, cutting-edge research for faculty and UDRI staff, and high-paying careers for graduates. It also will partner with other universities to create pathways for non-traditional students, expanding the talent pipeline for the Air Force and high-tech Ohio employers.

Read more at the University of Dayton

To learn more about the Digital Transformation Center contact dtc@udri.udayton.edu.