WSET.com - ABC13Danville Welcomes New Supercomputer

Danville Welcomes New Supercomputer

Reporter: James Gherardi l Videographer: Jonathan Merryman

Danville, VA - There are 12 in the entire world, and one of them is in Danville. It's a next generation supercomputer capable of some of the most detailed and intricate data research in the country, and it's been years in the making.

When Northern Virginia science and technology nonprofit Noblis set out to purchase a supercomputer, they never thought it would end up in Danville.

It's colorfully cloaked, covered with the symbols of Virginia. But behind the pretty surface is something pretty powerful: the Cray XMT Supercomputer.

"It's a computer on steroids," said Michael Duncan of the Southern Piedmont Technology Council.

With the computing power of 128 household PCs, the supercomputer is capable of compiling loads of complex data.

"Everything from transportation problems to information technology problems, from life science problems," said Gil Miller, the vice president of Noblis.

Noblis uses the supercomputer to compile data from all over the globe. The supercomputer takes it in, analyzes it and gives researchers problem solving direction. Its biggest customer is the U.S. Government.

"Think about the data sets that the federal government has in Medicare, Medicaid, social security, maybe even IRS," said Miller. All are agencies that deal with billions of numbers, something the average computer could never handle.

But why Danville?

"The Tobacco Commission stepped forward and said we understand the project. They stepped up with funding. Of course, what they said was, ‘You've got to come to Southside or southwest Virginia,' and that's why we're here," said Miller.

A $3 million grant from the Tobacco Commission and a very excited and willing community in Danville, landed the supercomputer in an old tobacco warehouse.

"It's a great PR win for our community. But more importantly it presents another level of technology as we reinvent the Southside economy," said Duncan.

The new technology means new businesses, all looking to reap the benefits of Danville's newest resident.

"For the average person, it may not have a direct impact on their lives except that it will help create more jobs in this community, and that's really what we need to do," said Duncan.

Noblis has begun hiring a full-time staff for their new Danville location. It will eventually employ 15 workers. They say the supercomputer is going to attract a slew of businesses to the Southside.