APSU to celebrate new Hemlock Semiconductor Building with grand opening

A year after breaking ground, Austin Peay State University will celebrate the grand opening of the new Hemlock Semiconductor Building at noon, Thursday, September 16th.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting and name dedication ceremony at the new facility, located at the intersection of College and Eighth streets. The Hemlock Semiconductor Building houses the chemical engineering technology (CET) associate degree program and laboratory.

Speakers for the event include Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper and Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of the Hemlock Semiconductor Group, as well as representatives from the Tennessee Board of Regents and state of Tennessee.

A reception and open house will take place after the ceremony.

In June 2010, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved President Tim Hall’s recommendation to name the facility in honor of Michigan-based Hemlock Semiconductor Group for its $2 million gift to APSU for the purchase of laboratory equipment for the building. The contribution was one of the largest monetary gifts ever given to APSU.

Approximately 500 jobs will be created at the Hemlock Semiconductor facility, some of which will require specialized education and training from a program such as APSU’s. Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices and solar cells and modules.

APSU was previously awarded a $6.4 million grant from the state of Tennessee to develop the CET degree program, following the December 2008 announcement that Hemlock Semiconductor would build a new production facility in Clarksville Tennessee.