September 2, 2010

University with Best Aerospace Engineering Program in the Nation Considers Rockford for New Campus of 1000 Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2010 ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has had the best aerospace engineering program in the country for eleven consecutive years, is considering the Rockford area for their new residential campus for 500 residential students and 500 commuter students to meet the growing demand for aerospace graduates. ERAU opened its Rockford campus in 2008 at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

The announcement was made yesterday at Hamilton Sundstrand, where a reception was held to celebrate the educational partnership between Hamilton Sundstrand and ERAU as well as to introduce the university's president and other top university officials to the community.

Also attending the reception were ERAU alumni and students who are employees of Hamilton Sundstrand, other aerospace company representatives, community and business leaders as well as economic development officials.

ERAU President Dr. John Johnson spoke for over 30 minutes about their plans for the new campus and why Rockford was being considered. He called Rockford a "town of Americans, of real every day people who build America."

Rockford Area Economic Development Council President Janyce Fadden said, "Embry-Riddle recognizes that the Rockford area has an excellent cluster of aerospace supply companies, a strong and skilled workforce and a great location. By considering Rockford, along with other sites like New York, San Francisco, Houston, and Phoenix, they understand our aerospace strength is highly competitive. This announcement validates our targeting the aerospace market as one that has high potential to retain, expand and attract quality, high-paying jobs for our area."

The final decision is expected to be made in November. Fadden added, "We very much appreciate that ERAU's Rockford area trustee, Ken DuFour, championed Rockford as a possible campus site,"

Benefits of Potential New Campus
· Jobs
In addition to 1000 students, a new campus would create 100 new jobs with the potential for 250 jobs. The jobs would be predominantly high-paying jobs.

· Research and Development
ERAU's new campus would also bring research and development to this area. ERAU has conducted due diligence and learned about the high level and amount aerospace R & D currently going on in the Rockford area.

· Internships
The availability of internships with area aerospace companies like Hamilton Sundstrand, Woodward and others will contribute to the final decision. ERAU recognizes that the internships will provide their students with the latest technology, processes and workplace environments.

· Masters and Doctorate Level Classes
In addition to a four-year undergraduate curriculum, the new campus would offer Master's level and Doctorate level classes. This would help improve the higher education availability in the Rockford area and make it possible for more adults to gain advanced degrees.

· Better Workforce Supply
Local aerospace companies continually hire engineers, so such a campus would make recruiting easier. Hamilton Sundstrand alone has hired more than 100 engineers every year for the last three years.

· Possible Maintenance Repair Work
If ERAU brings flight programs to train pilots, they could possibly bring their flight maintenance program, as maintenance and repair would be required. This would have potential benefits to local fixed base operation/maintenance repair overhaul (FBO and MRO) companies as well as area high schools and their career training programs.

· Potential for High School Aerospace Curriculum
At its other residential campuses, ERAU offers high schools an aerospace curriculum for students who want a fast track to an aerospace career.

ABOUT THE RAEDC
The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region, and to engage the community in the work of economic development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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