Value added - USG serves Georgia [Aug. 2009]

VALUE ADDED: USG Serves Georgia

August 2009

ICAPP, USG Institutions Played Key Role in NCR Announcement

The University System of Georgia (USG) played a key role in this summer's decision by Fortune 500 corporation NCR to relocate its worldwide headquarters from Ohio to Georgia and to build a new manufacturing facility here as well. This huge coup for the state's economic developers expected to create 2,100 new jobs in Georgia could not have been achieved without the resources and strong support of USG institutions such as Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University and the University of Georgia.

Best known for automated teller machines (ATMs), self-service check-outs and other assisted- and self-service solutions, NCR's move and expansion will consolidate its corporate offices and save the company millions of dollars. The corporation had already announced plans last October to establish a Global Center of Excellence in Peachtree City, Ga. that will create more than 900 additional jobs over the next two years, bringing the grand total to 3,000 new jobs for the state.
At a news conference in early June, NCR CEO Bill Nuti identified for the news media the following factors that led the company to move its base of operations to Georgia:
u the availability of an educated workforce (in which the USG plays no small role);
u the proximity of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport;
u the state tax structure; and
u the opportunity to partner with top-tier academic institutions such as Georgia Tech.
"The relationship with Georgia Tech is going to be critical for us going forward," Nuti said. "We are a technology company."

With NCR Chairman and CEO Bill Nuti by his side, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced the Fortune 500 company's decision to move the bulk of its operations to Georgia during a June 2 news conference at the state Capitol.
The USG's Office of Economic Development and Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) are coordinating with career-services offices throughout the University System to connect USG students and alumni with positions at NCR, expanding not only the number of opportunities for students but the number of schools the company will recruit from as well.
But the partnership between NCR and the University System of Georgia extends beyond recruiting an educated workforce and developing innovations from campus research.
As part of NCR's transformation of its existing retail headquarters in Duluth, Ga., into what it calls a "global self-service innovation headquarters" which will create 1,250 new jobs for metropolitan Atlanta the company
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will take advantage of an aggressive, senior-level education program delivered by ICAPP.
ICAPP will coordinate the resources of the Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and University of Georgia business schools in working with NCR to craft an education program focusing on leadership and innovation for senior executives and their direct reports.
"The USG has faculty expertise that is in line with the strategic direction of NCR and its leadership," said Terry Durden, the USG's assistant vice chancellor for Economic Development.
In addition, Durden said, "Over the past year or so, ICAPP has worked closely with NCR to understand and support their research, development and innovation direction." Durden said NCR has identified key areas of interest and is working with the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) and Georgia Tech's College of Computing, Health Systems Institute, Industrial and Systems Engineering School and College of Management to keep its management, products and services on the leading edge of innovation.

linking to the innovation in Georgia Tech's research-and-development network," King said. "There are many advanced-technology areas in which Georgia Tech and NCR have interests in common."
Companies continue to value the resources of higher education for top student and graduate talent as well as the cutting-edge expertise of university faculty and researchers, according to Durden. "The USG's Office of Economic Development provides state agencies, business and industry improved insight, awareness and access to the resources of Georgia's 35 public colleges and universities," she noted.
"Georgia is truly a one-stop shop as a headquarters location for a worldwide leader such as NCR," said Gov. Sonny Perdue at the June news conference announcing the company's selection of Georgia. "We look forward to helping the company thrive thanks to our global business environment, outstanding education and workforce development initiatives and a quality of life that is second to none." Q
Georgia State to Help History Teachers, Students

NCR also is in the process of converting the 350,000-square-foot former Panasonic building in Columbus, Ga., into a manufacturing facility for the company's next-generation SelfServTM ATM family. The project has Georgia Tech faculty and staff working with the company in the areas of production design and manufacturing process improvement. "In support of NCR's commitment to energy and environmental design the company has had some discussions in these areas with the Tech's College of Architecture," Durden noted.
Greg King, a member of Georgia Tech's Strategic Partners Office and also an ICAPP program director, noted that Tech's relationship with NCR goes back more than 20 years to the launch of a new product-development group through the Advanced Technology Development Center's incubator.
"The company is interested in both ensuring access to a highly educated workforce and in

Georgia State University will soon be helping DeKalb County public school teachers expand their American history knowledge, in an effort to increase student achievement in social studies.
DeKalb County Public Schools partnered with Georgia State to obtain a "Teaching American History" federal grant. The award, roughly $1 million over the next three years, will cover professional-development expenses for American history teachers in elementary, middle and high schools. Educators hope to get an extension of the grant for a total of $1.6 million over five years.
Nearly 30 DeKalb teachers will be eligible for the program each year about 90 over three years. The program is designed to ensure teachers develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach traditional American history in an exciting and engaging way.
Teachers will earn graduate-course credit at GSU, continuing education credit with their district and a stipend to help cover their tuition, books and supplies as well as travel to historical sites. Q