Western Carolina University will receive a $642,960, five-year investment award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to continue operation of the EDA University Center for Rapid Product Realization, which works to accelerate job creation and retention among existing businesses and emerging entrepreneurial enterprises in Western North Carolina.

The EDA University Center links clients to a range of services, including three-dimensional design and scanning, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping and mechanical and electrical testing at the Rapid Center; business assistance from the SBTDC; and consulting and entrepreneurial mentoring from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. WCU received funding from the EDA each of the last three years to provide services to regional businesses.

The EDA University Center is located in WCU’s Belk Building alongside the Center for Rapid Product Realization. The EDA funding will be used to support existing positions as the university contributes faculty resources, equipment and laboratory space to the project.

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