CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today praised the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for awarding a new $2.5 billion, five-year contract for the management and operation of Argonne National Laboratory to the UChicago Argonne, LLC, owned solely by the University of Chicago. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago and Northwestern University supported this new independent entity in its proposal, and they are participating with the LLC in making significant financial commitments to support scientific activities at the laboratory. Argonne is one of the DOE’s major multi-program national laboratories known for its world-class innovations in energy, science, technology, biomedicine and national security.
“The University of Chicago has had a long, successful history of operating Argonne National Laboratory, and we are excited about this new collaboration that will continue paving the way for the scientific discoveries of today and tomorrow. The State of Illinois has a very strong relationship with Argonne National Laboratory, and we look forward to continue working with the University of Chicago to leverage larger investments at this important facility, advance cutting-edge research and create more high-tech, high-paying Illinois jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said
The University of Chicago, through UChicago Argonne, LLC, has established partnerships with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) to manage the lab. UChicago Argonne, LLC will manage the Laboratory through its Board of Governors, which consists of two dozen leaders in science and technology from industry and universities, including the presidents of the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. This new team is designed to combine strong scientific leadership with best management practices to support innovation and discovery at Argonne that serves the national interest. The University of Chicago has managed Argonne since 1946. The new contract will begin October 1, 2006.
“We are very pleased to lead this strong team in managing Argonne for the Department of Energy,” said Robert J. Zimmer, president of the University of Chicago. “Argonne’s unique facilities and scientific and engineering expertise are vital resources for the development of science and technology and enhancing the energy, economic and national security of the nation.”
Argonne National Laboratory is one of the nation's leading federally funded research and development centers, employing approximately 2,900 employees, including about 1,000 scientists and engineers, of whom about 600 hold doctoral degrees. In addition, Argonne's annual operating budget of about $475 million supports upwards of 200 research projects.
“The University's open-minded approach and strong intellectual traditions have fostered an effective and symbiotic relationship that will continue to produce future scientific and engineering dividends,” said Robert Rosner, president of UChicago Argonne, LLC and director of Argonne National Laboratory. “This new team combines individual strengths to forge a unique and powerful partnership on behalf of the DOE and the nation.”
Gov. Blagojevich has committed almost $93 million in funding for projects at Argonne National Laboratory since the beginning of his administration. These important technology projects include the Center for Nanoscale Materials, Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, the Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility and I-WIRE.
“Argonne’s world class research facilities are a tremendous asset not only to the state’s economy and R&D capacity, but to the nation and beyond. The University of Chicago, along with all of the involved partners, will continue pushing Argonne to new heights, and we look forward to working together with them for many years to come,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.