PIKE CO. — Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and Pike County Progress Partners, Inc. (PCPP) have officially signed a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA), uniting the military’s advanced technical capabilities with local economic development efforts.
According to Pike County Economic Development, the collaboration aims to support entrepreneurial growth in Pike County by leveraging NSWC Crane’s extensive expertise to assist local start-ups and facilitate the commercialization of defense-related technologies.
NSWC Crane, the third largest naval installation in the world, is a shore command of the U.S. Navy under the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Its mission focuses on delivering innovative solutions and readiness to the nation’s warfighters across three core mission areas: Electromagnetic Warfare, Strategic Missions, and Expeditionary Warfare. The installation is a national leader in science and technology, research, development, test and evaluation, and in-service engineering.
Pike County Progress Partners, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works alongside the Pike County Economic Development Corporation. PCPP is the owner and operator of the Elmer Buchta Technology Center, a facility designed to foster the entrepreneurial spirit and assist start-up businesses from initial idea to functional prototype.
Ashley Willis, Executive Director of PCPP, emphasized the mutual benefits of the agreement.
“Pike County is proud to partner with NSWC Crane! Crane is doing fantastic work every day and is an anchor employer for our region,” Willis stated. “It is a perfect partnership to work with NSWC Crane as there are technical developments that could benefit the military and, likewise, companies that could expand in Pike County and need to be near NSWC Crane.”
The PIA will allow for technology transfer and patent research assistance, giving Pike County entrepreneurs access to resources to overcome development hurdles. Conversely, the partnership will help NSWC Crane transition ideas developed at the naval installation toward commercialization by connecting with the local business ecosystem.
Pike County officials expressed hope that the proximity and resources offered through the partnership will encourage high-tech companies and spin-offs to establish and grow within the supportive, pro-business community, leading to capital investment and high-wage job creation.
