For fifty years, the site known as "Mound" was one of the country's most powerful and prestigious defense installations. Mound was the working laboratory of brilliant scientists who pushed the technology envelope to research, design, develop, manufacture and test nuclear weapons components and spacecraft power systems.

In fact, Mound scientists played a key role not only in the development of the nation’s defense-weapons systems, but they also pioneered technology that remains critical to space exploration even today. Early in 1954, Kenneth Jordan, along with John Birden, established the principle of the nuclear battery and constructed the first working model. This principle, which was patented by the two scientists, is the basis for all radioisotopic-powered thermoelectric generators that make possible deep-space missions, such as Galileo, Ulysses, and most recently Cassini. (For more information, check out “Power Systems Technologies” on our Links page.)

The driving force at Mound was the continual improvement of the sophisticated processes and technologies that would be used during the Cold War and to explore the depths of outer space.

A whirlwind of historical events changed world politics in the early 1990s. This marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of improved international relations. As a result, defense production was reduced, and in 1993, the Department of Energy (DOE) de-commissioned the Mound. The community accepted the department’s proposal that it take responsibility for transferring the site’s technologies and facilities to the private sector. The city hoped that by directing redevelopment and reuse, it could:
  • abate the loss of 2,500 jobs
  • preserve Mound’s unique technological capabilities
  • maximize the nation’s investment in Mound’s technologies, equipment and facilities
  • provide continued economic benefits to the Mound work force, the local community, the region, the state and the federal government
  • ensure the transfer of an environmentally clean site to the local community
  • transition the Mound site to a private-business enterprise.

To accomplish the community’s goals for Mound, the city of Miamisburg created in 1994 the Miamisburg Mound Community Improvement Corporation, an economic development organization responsible for redevelopment and business growth at the site. MMCIC, a driver in the progress that has been made at the site to date, has established the following vision and mission statements to guide its direction for Mound’s future:

  

 

MMCIC Mission Statement

To achieve the community’s and region’s vision for the Mound Advanced Technology Center as a valuable part of its economic and technological base, and contributing to its economic prosperity by creating opportunities for high quality jobs.

MMCIC Vision

(The Mound) is a “National Center of Excellence” for Emerging Energy and related Advanced Materials, augmented by associated Cutting Edge Manufacturing Technologies for its research & development, advancement, application, and processing.

 

We facilitate the recruitment, establishment and expansion of the leading, global entities in the respective fields and provide a nurturing environment for their prosperity and commercial success.

 

(The Mound) is a substantial asset to the community, based upon maximized capture of market-driven opportunities and financial success, creating high quality jobs and contributing to the economic prosperity of the Miami Valley Region.