Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center: General Information

Welcome to the Corporate Research Center (CRC)

The following material has been prepared to help you get acclimated to the CRC. If something has been omitted or could be clearer, please let the CRC administrative office know about it. We welcome your feedback. Let’s get started!

Chapter 1 - What is the CRC?

• Mission
• Objectives
• Awards
• Maps
• Demographics
• Pictorial History
• Current Tenants

Chapter 2 - What is there to do at the CRC?

• Restaurant
• Fitness Center
• Walking Trails
• Volleyball Court and League
• Basketball Court
• Picnic Areas
• VCOM Amphitheater
• Annual Picnic
• Community Support
• VTCRC Special Interest Groups

Chapter 3 - How do I keep Informed?

• eNewsletter
• Postings
• Website
• Social Networking
• Ask the CRC
• VT Alerts
• Event Banners

Chapter 4 - What services are available to me at the CRC?

• Banking and ATM
• Training Programs
• Brown Bag Luncheons
• Printing, Copying and Business Services
• Bus Service
• Childcare
• Dry Cleaning Pickup/Delivery
• Building Opening and Closing
• US and Overnight Mail

Chapter 5 - What services are available to me at VT?

• Hokie Passport
• Seminars

Chapter 6 - What is the CRC's Affiliates Program?

Chapter 7 - CRC Rules and Regulations

Chapter 8 - How do I communicate with CRC management?

• Reporting Maintenance Problems
• Telecom Issues
• Contact Us

We hope that you enjoy working at the CRC. If you have any ideas about how we can make the experience better for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Mission

The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Inc. (CRC) is a for-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Virginia Tech Foundation. As such, the CRC is not a state organization and does not have to comply with any aspect of state procurement. The CRC was created in July, 1985 and completed its first building in 1988.

The mission statement of the CRC is:

To develop a growing, prestigious research park for high-technology companies. Concurrently, the CRC will, in collaboration with the university, advance the research, educational, and technology transfer missions of Virginia Tech (VT).

The CRC advances the research mission of VT by helping to create research relationships between companies at the CRC and Virginia Tech. For example, a tenant company could sponsor research at VT as part of a SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) contract. The CRC advances the educational mission of VT by working with faculty to identify student projects that can be done at the CRC. For example, MBA students create business plans for CRC companies. The CRC advances the technology transfer mission of VT by having an incubator program called VT KnowledgeWorks that creates companies based on VT developed technology licensed by Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. (VTIP).

Objectives

Below is a list of the objectives of the CRC as amended and approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting in 2000:

•	Enhance the quality, stature and reputation of Virginia Tech by increasing corporate and government research relationships with Tech through tenancy at the CRC.
•	Provide facilities and support to the university and Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. to help bring faculty research to commercial reality and transfer technology to the private sector.
•	Create and maintain attractive sites, buildings and physical environs for laboratories, offices and other uses in basic and applied research, quality assessment, prototyping, and testing.
•	Provide research-related Employment for Virginia Tech undergraduate, graduate, cooperative students, faculty, staff, and spouses.
•	Contribute to employment and economic growth in the region and the Commonwealth through the expansion of the park, development of local infrastructure to support the park, support of the Business/Technology Center, and support of university outreach initiatives with non-CRC companies and communities.
•	Assist with university research programs and initiatives that facilitate economic development activities by matching the needs of CRC businesses, facilities, and programs with the research and professional capabilities of Virginia Tech. This will hopefully increase the level of industry-sponsored research at Virginia Tech.
•	To be a profitable subsidiary of the Virginia Tech Foundation, capable of returning income to the Foundation on an annual basis.
•	Assist the university with its teaching mission by identifying opportunities for classes to use the CRC and its companies for classroom projects, special studies, internships, cooperative education experiences, and on-site instruction.

Awards

The CRC has been the recipient of several awards that represent excellence among U.S. research parks. In 1997, the CRC was named “Best Practice in Technology Transfer and Research Centers” in the mid-Atlantic region by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2001, the CRC was selected to represent the eastern U.S. in a world-wide network of the best research parks. This network is no longer operational. In 2004, the CRC was one of three national finalists for the “Excellence in Technology-led Economic Development Award.”

Maps

Click on the desired map to view the layout of the CRC.

•	CRC Phase I Master Plan

•	CRC Phase II Master Plan

•	Aerial View of the CRC in 2005

Demographics

The following are current statistics on the park as of July 2009.

Number of Tenants: 140
Number of Tenant Employees: 2,200
Number of Buildings: 27
Total Square Footage: 917,000 square feet

Pictorial History

The CRC has developed a Power Point presentation that shows the growth of the park though ground-breaking ceremonies, aerial photos, and building openings.

>>>View Pictorial History

Current Tenants

A search engine is available on the CRC web site that permits you to find tenants by name, building or technology.

>>>Search Current Tenants

Restaurant

The CRC has an excellent on-site restaurant called the Wikiteria Market & Café, located in Research Building XII. The Wikiteria Market & Café offers an eclectic menu including Caribbean, Greek, Italian, and American items. The range of choices includes salads, sandwiches, soup, and entrees. Wikiteria Market & Café offers daily specials, delivery, and catering.

During the summer, join in the fun of Wiki After 5, a family friendly barbeque and networking event held on the patio at Wikiteria every other Friday. There's live music, food, and games for the kids all for $5.00 per adult. Children under 12 are admitted free.

>>>View Wikiteria Market & Café's web site

Fitness Center

The CRC has a great fitness center called The Weight Club @ CRC, located in Research Building XII. The 5000 square foot facility has a large selection of fitness machines, free weights, and classes. Membership at The Weight Club @ the CRC allows you to use the facilities at the University Mall location as well as the CRC location. Personal training is also available.

>>>View The Weight Club's web site

Walking Trails

There are paved trails, unpaved trails, and bike lanes along the road in the CRC.

>>>View map of walking trails

Volleyball Court and League

The CRC has a volleyball court for tenant use located on Pratt Drive between the Garvin Building and the entry to RB XV. This lighted court can be scheduled for use by contacting the CRC Administrative Office.

The CRC encourages companies and their employees to take advantage of the VTCRC Volleyball League. Registration begins in April and games begin in May every Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday unless team captains agree to reschedule on another day. To conclude the League's season, the CRC hosts an End of the Season cookout. Spectators are welcome at all games; bring only cheers, no jeers to join in the fun.

View team schedules and scores here.

Basketball Court

The CRC has a basketball goal located at the rear of the parking lot behind the Garvin Building. The use of this goal is not scheduled.

Picnic Areas

The CRC welcomes the use of the various picnic tables that have been placed throughout the park on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the tables adjacent to Wikiteria Market & Café are their property and should remain available to their patrons.

VCOM Amphitheater

The VCOM Amphitheater is available to rent on a first come, first serve basis. Tenants may request approval for its use by application.

Annual Picnic

The CRC hosts an annual picnic for its tenant employees and their families in the fall. Live music, inflatable games, sponsors, sno cones and a clown and lots of good food make for a fun-filled evening for adults and children.

>>>See 2009 picnic photos and sponsors

Community Support

The CRC encourages tenant companies and their employees to take advantage of volunteer opportunities offered through the United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, American Heart Association, and many more resources in the New River Valley. The CRC coordinates activites with various organizations throughout the year in which tenants are welcome to participate.

VTCRC Special Interest Groups

VTCRC Special Interest Groups provide an environment conducive to building new professional relationships, educating, motivating, and exchanging energizing ideas and perspectives. Meetings provide a venue to discuss leading-edge topics, the latest tools and industry best practices with leaders in your field. Current groups include HR Connection, CRC Finance Network, and BioTech Group. Each is open to CRC tenants and tenant employees performing human resource and finance functions and the biotech industry respectively.

>>>View the VTCRC Special Interest Groups' web site

eNewsletter

The CRC frequently publishes an electronic newsletter. This eNewsletter is the best way to keep informed about things going on at the CRC.

>>>Sign Up for CRC eNewsletter by sending your name and email address.

Postings

Often, the CRC will post flyers or notices on the building entry doors and on the building bulletin boards. The fact that the CRC is posting a notice generally means that it is important. For example, new parking rules during football games would likely be posted. Advertising is not permitted.

Website

The CRC web site is a good source of information on what’s going on in the park. The fast facts area is used to highlight things that everyone at the CRC should know. The news area highlights announcements and press releases from CRC tenant companies. Both of these sections change each time that you log-on to the site.

>>>View the CRC's web site

Social Networking Sites

The CRC posts news and notice of upcoming CRC events on Facebook. Become a fan and learn more about what's happening at the VTCRC. Twitter users can also stay up-to-date on recent CRC news and follow VTCRC Director of Park Services, Dawn Crigger.

The CRC sponsors the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC) and encourages CRC tenants to become members. NCTC is a non-profit member-driven association of businesses and organizations in the greater NewVa Region (encompassing Roanoke and Blacksburg, VA), working together to promote the growth and success of the region's technology sector. Become a member of NCTC.

Ask the CRC

The homepage of the CRC web site has a button to click to submit a question to the CRC. Asking your question about the CRC from this link ensures priority treatment. If an answer is not immediately available, the answer will be researched and you will receive a response in a timely manner.

>>>Ask the CRC

VT Alerts

The CRC encourages VT employee and affiliate employees to sign up for VT Alerts. VT Alerts is Virginia Tech's Emergency Notification System. After subscribing, Virginia Tech notifies you of campus emergencies through several information delivery methods.

>>>Sign up for VT Alert

Event Banners

When there is an important event taking place at the CRC that everyone is invited to, a banner will be flown at the two entries to the park. The banner will direct you to the web site where a description of the event, location, and time will be posted.

Banking and ATM

StellarOne operates a bank branch in Suite 1000 and has an ATM and drive thru at the VCOM II Building at 2280 Kraft Drive. StellarOne has a preferential banking plan for employees of companies at the CRC. To learn more about their banking services visit their corporate web site.

>>>View StellarOne's web site

Training Programs

The CRC and its affiliates often sponsor training programs in a wide range of business and technical areas. Training programs are announced to the company presidents and on the CRC’s eNewsletter.

Brown Bag Luncheons

Companies that wish to sell products and services may offer Brown Bag Luncheon presentations to tenant employees. These lunchtime events are held in the conference room adjacent to the Wikiteria Market & Café and cover a wide range of fields. Brown Bag Luncheons are announced in the CRC’s eNewsletter and in an email to company presidents.

Printing, Copying, Shipping, and Business Services Center

M&P Printing and Business Services, located in Suite 1100 of VCOM II, offers full service printing, copying, basic office supplies, trade show materials, custom promotional items, and FedEx shipping to the public. Materials can be sent to them electronically or dropped off at their office location at 2280 Kraft Drive for printing. Delivery is available.

>>>Contact M&P Printing and Business Services at print@vtcrc.net or call (540) 951-2972.

Bus Service

There are two bus services available in the CRC – the Blacksburg Transit (BT) and the SmartWay Bus. The BT has routes in the Blacksburg area including from the CRC to the VT campus.

The BT bus is a free service if you have a Hokie Passport (see below).

Buses are often equipped to carry bicycles. Learn more about the BT bus service.

The SmartWay Bus runs between sites in Blacksburg, starting at Squires Hall on the VT campus, and downtown Roanoke, including a stop at the Roanoke Airport. The trip is $3.00 one way. The SmartWay Bus stops in front of the Garvin Building both on the way to VT and on the way to Roanoke.

>>>View the Smartway Bus Schedule

Childcare

The CRC has a childcare facility on site. Located at 1800 Ramble Road, Rainbow Riders Childcare Center provides care services for children 6 weeks to 12 years old. The childcare center is open Monday thru Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

>>> View Rainbow Riders Childcare Center's web site

Dry Cleaning Pickup/Delivery

A Cleaner World offers "Express Bag" service at the CRC. Pick up and delivery days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays every week at M&P Printing and Business Services located in Suite 1100 of the VCOM II Building at 2280 Kraft Drive.

>>> View A Cleaner World's web site

Building Opening and Closing

Tenants are responsible for securing the doors to their own space. The CRC staff will unlock all common entry doors around 7:00 a.m. each morning and lock them around 5:00 p.m. The exception for this are holidays and scheduled closings. Notices are sent to tenants via the CRC eNewsletter when CRC staff will not unlock or lock buildings.

It is important to note that personnel entering the building after hours, on weekends, or during scheduled closings, are responsible for locking the building when they leave. The common entry doors should always remain locked after hours to prevent unauthorized entry into the buildings.

Please contact CRC Administration if you have any questions.

US and Overnight Mail

Apartment-type mailboxes are provided for each building within the park. These are located in areas accessible for entry by the post office to make Saturday deliveries. The post office provides keys to each box. Tenants are responsible for replacing the lock and keys, should keys be lost. Mail will be delivered to your mailbox Monday - Saturday around 11:00 a.m. Outgoing mail should be in the Outgoing Mail slot by 10:00 a.m. each day to ensure pickup.

Each building in the park also has an internal mailroom with an assigned mailbox for each company to receive mail from the CRC administrative office. The CRC administrative office also has a mailbox in each building where companies may place mail to be delivered to us. This mailbox will be checked at least once a day.

Also, for your convenience, a U.S. mail drop box is located in front of the Garvin Center. The last pick up is around 4:30 p.m. each day.

Drop boxes for private carriers (FedEx, UPS, and DHL) are located in the Research Building II parking lot across the street from the U.S. Postal Service drop box which is at the entrance to the Garvin Building. FedEx drop boxes are also located behind Research Building VIII located at 2000 Kraft Drive. Pickup by the private carriers occurs between 5:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m. each weekday. There are no weekend pick ups from these boxes.

Hokie Passport

All CRC tenant employees are eligible to obtain a Hokie Passport identification card/debit card unless they are taking classes on campus or are employed by the university.

The passport can be used for various privileges as described below (list subject to change at any time):

•	VT Newman Library and other campus libraries – use of comprehensive research library with over 1.7 million volumes that receives over 16,000 periodicals.
•	VT War Memorial Gymnasium – facilities provided for swimming, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, and weight rooms at faculty/staff rates.
•	VT Athletic Season Tickets – faculty/staff discounts on season tickets for the football games and basketball games. Reduced price or free entry for games of the 15 other intercollegiate sports teams at Tech, including baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and track.
•	Blacksburg Transit System – free use serving all points in the Blacksburg area as well as the Two-Town Trolley providing bus service to and from neighboring Christiansburg.
•	VT Outdoor Tennis Courts – use of the courts beside Cassell Coliseum.
•	University Bookstore and Volume II Bookstore – discounts on all supplies and trade books excluding computer equipment and software. Due to the language in educational software license agreements, only university employees are eligible to purchase software at the University Bookstore at educational prices.
•	VT Concert and Theater Tickets – faculty/staff discounts.
•	VT Food Services Facilities – discounts in some, such as the Hokie Grill. Many merchants in town are accepting the Hokie Passport as a debit card.
•	VT Parking Pass – CRC Tenant employees can obtain courtesy CRC parking passes to park at the CRC and in faculty/staff parking on campus. Employees who are currently taking more than 1 hour of classes on campus are required to purchase a faculty/staff pass. The fine for violating this policy is $110.

>>>To apply for a Hokie Passport

Seminars

A large number of seminars and Ph.D. dissertation presentations are held on the VT campus. Some are announced on the CRC’s eNewsletter. The best plan is to contact the department that will likely host seminars that you are interested in and subscribe to their electronic distribution list.

The CRC has developed a number of business relationships with product and service providers that result in savings to companies and/or employees in the CRC. These relationships are continuing to grow and currently include: furniture discounts, car repair discounts, rental car discounts, etc. The CRC acts as a buying cooperative to these product and service providers ensuring that CRC companies and employees receive maximum discounts.

The list of affiliates continues to grow. Learn about the products and services that each affiliate offers that may be of interest to you.

The CRC tenants must adhere to a number of rules and regulations via their lease. Some of the most important rules for tenant employees to know about follow.

1.	The CRC will not be responsible for lost or stolen personal property, equipment, money, or jewelry from tenant's area or public rooms regardless of whether such loss occurs when the area is locked against entry or not.
2.	Each day, tenants must close and securely lock all doors of its suite and observe strict care and caution that all water faucets and/or water apparatus are entirely shut off before tenant or its employees leave the suite. Likewise, all utilities must be carefully shut off so as to prevent waste or damage. On multiple-tenancy floors, all tenants must keep their door or doors to the building corridors closed at all times except for ingress and egress.
3.	Cooking is not permitted in suites.Tenants may use Underwriter's laboratory approved equipment for the preparations of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and similar beverages and convenience foods for tenants and their employees when used in accordance with applicable federal, state and city laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations. Suites may not be used for lodging or sleeping.
4.	In the event tenant must dispose of crates, boxes, etc. which will not fit into office wastepaper baskets, tenant must dispose of large items by hauling them to the county landfill and refrain from putting them in CRC trash bins. In no event shall tenants set such items in the public hallways or other areas of the building excepting tenant's own leased suite for disposal.
5.	The CRC reserves the right to exclude or expel from the building any person who, in the CRC’s judgment, is intoxicated or under the influence of liquor or drugs or who is in violation of any of the rules and regulations of the building.
6.	The CRC is a smoke free environment. Smoking is not allowed within 25 feet of any of the buildings. Please use designated smoking areas.
7.	Tenants that have an authorized parking decal provided by the university may park at the CRC during football games. Tenants needing temporary authorization for parking for their visitors during games may contact the CRC administrative office.
8.	Tenant use of heaters poses a significant risk for the CRC. The fire code requires that all electric resistance heaters must have 3 feet of open clearance around all sides, have a tip-over cutoff switch, be UL listed, and not be left unattended. Heaters have been the source of over 90% of the calls the CRC receives about tripped breakers and have caused many users and their neighbors to lose information from their computer when the breakers trip. This is why we discourage use. If you must use a heater then they are required to meet the following criteria. They must by UL approved; draw less than 150 watts or less than 1 amp; have a maximum temperature of 150 degrees F; have no fan; have no exposed electric resistance strips; and have a safety temperature cutoff switch. Heaters may not use gas, kerosene, or any other energy source except electricity. In no circumstance shall heaters be left on unattended.
9.	The CRC administrative office schedules the use of all conference rooms in the CRC. Tenants have access to all conference rooms. Conference rooms are available on a 365/7/24 basis for legitimate business use only. Tenants are responsible for cleaning up conference rooms after their use and arranging for catering materials to be picked up.
10.	The design of the heating and air conditioning systems in the buildings dictates that windows, even though operable, must not be opened.

Reporting Maintenance Problems

The CRC has an excellent maintenance system and staff. If you see something that needs fixing, just go to the main CRC web site and select Request Maintenance Service. The system will ask you to identify your company, the nature of the problem, and how to get in touch with you. After the maintenance action has been completed, you will receive an email asking you to confirm that the maintenance action has been accomplished to your satisfaction.

In the event of an emergency, follow the prompt response procedures.

Telecom Issues

The CRC also has an excellent data network. If you need additional service or are having problems with the network, just go the VTCRC website homepage and select Request Network Service. Complete the form with your desired action and the network staff will promptly respond to your request.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact the CRC administrative office at any time with any concern. We want to create a place where you are proud to work.