Air University Innovation Accelerator is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening tour today of its Eagle Institute in Montgomery.

The new institute is in the historic Kress Building, which was once a major department store. The building sat vacant for more than 30 years before being refurbished and repaired in 2017.

“Research tells us a diverse range of perspectives and experiences leads to more innovative solutions, improved decision making and facilitates teamwork,” said Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos, Commander and President of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. “The Eagle Institute will serve as connective tissue to bring people and ideas together from across Air University’s training, education, and leadership development enterprise.”

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote is the guest speaker at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony at the Kress Building on Dexter Avenue.

AUiX said it “takes the Department of Defense, the community, industry, and academia, and combines them in one centralized place – The Eagle Institute.”

The Eagle Institute is a dedicated Air University Innovation Center partially designed to help strengthen the Air Force.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.