EAST LANSING, Mich. — Federal funding is moving forward, hiring is under way and conceptual design and research and development are progressing at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Project one year after the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of Michigan State University to design and establish FRIB.
MSU and FRIB officials said they are pleased with progress as the university approaches the first year mark. The announcement that MSU had been selected for FRIB was made Dec. 11, 2008.
“We have received nothing but strong support from federal officials, the university, the local community and our user groups from around the world,” said Thomas Glasmacher, University Distinguished Professor of physics and astronomy and FRIB project director. “This is a complex project, but the process to bring it to reality is running quite smoothly so far.”
Congress has appropriated $12 million toward the project for the 2009-10 fiscal year, more than was initially anticipated. The facility is already attracting top nuclear researchers and engineers from around the world. About 25 scientific and engineering positions have been filled for FRIB and another 20 positions are currently open.
A recap of the progress and milestones during the last year:
- December 2008: DOE announced selection of MSU to design and establish FRIB.
- June 2009: DOE and MSU signed a cooperative agreement laying out expectations and a general timeline for the project, permitting the department to fund MSU to design and establish FRIB.
- June 2009: MSU completed construction of a significant NSCL expansion, including offices for FRIB.
- September 2009: The fiscal year 2010 DOE budget was signed by President Obama, containing $12 million for FRIB conceptual design and research and development, $3 million more than initially expected.
- October 2009: Business Review West Michigan recognized FRIB as one of its “2009 Deals of the Year” in the education category at a Grand Rapids dinner.
- November 2009: DOE representatives visited MSU’s campus to hold a public scoping meeting, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, allowing the department to identify and assess potential environmental impacts and possible alternatives. About 15 persons turned out to comment, including undergraduate and graduate students, business owners, officials from the community, labor leaders, faculty and staff.
- November 2009: The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized FRIB, along with seven other projects in the mid-Michigan area, at its “Celebration of Regional Growth” event. The chamber and other economic development groups in the region are collaborating to ensure those interested in working at FRIB know the assets they can find in the area.
- November 2009: A group of scientists and staff key to preparing the application for FRIB was recognized on the field for their academic win during the last home football game of the season where MSU hosted Penn State.
Construction of FRIB is scheduled to begin in late 2013. The project is expected to bring $1 billion in economic development to the region and is expected to be completed in 2017. More information about the project and its impact on mid-Michigan can be found at www.frib.msu.edu and at www.greaterlansinglife.com/frib/.
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