PIE Innovation Center opens new Wacker Commons

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The PIE Innovation Center opened Wacker Commons: a 14,000-square-foot, gathering space on Tuesday.

This new space will hold athletic events, business events, conferences and more in Bradley County.

The venue, formerly known as the Conclave, was redesigned and renamed in honor of Dr. Alexander Wacker.

“What we are most proud about is that when people come in this center now, with the entryway telling the Wacker story, they will learn more about this company that has come to Cleveland, Tennessee and Bradley County, to invest in our community,” said Bradley County Schools Director Dr. Linda Cash.

But many may be wondering, what is Wacker?

“For those who don’t know: Wacker, we do everything from the ground all the way up. From construction and adhesives in carpet and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paint… We are in toothpaste. We are many other products,” explained President/CEO of Wacker Chemical Corporation David Wilhoit.

Wacker wants to work close with the community as well.

“That’s why we are excited to locate here and grow here. And with 750 people, they are the community. They live here. Their children go to school here. This is why we feel this is such a great opportunity to support a great program like this,” said Wilhoit.

The new Wacker partnership will also benefit the students of Bradley County.

“The students in this facility are earning dual credit, dual enrollment. They are earning those higher education credits under their belt, which launches them into the next section. While getting on the job training, they are earning industry certificates and college credits while they are here with us too,” said Cash.

Officials say that future opportunities will come as well for students.

“We want to expand that partnership in looking at internships while they are here in their third and fourth level classes, which are their capstone classes here,” said Director of PIE Innovation Center Brittany Cannon.

The Wacker and PIE Center partnership was seven years in the making. Both Wacker and Bradley County look forward to a long-standing relationship as a result of this collaboration.