Council mulls supercomputer

By Justin Post of The Montana Standard - 10/17/2008

High-profile business and government officials are encouraging Butte-Silver Bow leaders to cough up $700,000 toward an effort to establish a supercomputing company in the Thornton Building in Uptown Butte.

Commissioners took no immediate action on the request Wednesday, however, but are reviewing the proposal from Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Centers, or RMSC.

Alex Philp, of Missoula, head of the nonprofit's board, told council Wednesday the investment could translate into hundreds of jobs and long-term economic development.

With no supercomputer in Montana, he said the technology in Butte would allow companies to perform large-scale computing and calculating without leaving the state.

"Currently, we just can't do this work in Montana," he said.

Philp, who repeatedly banged his fist against the podium during a presentation to commissioners, described himself as an "evangelist" in the effort to bring supercomputing to Montana.

Philp said businesses and universities in Montana are "chomping at the bit" to access this new technology.

The $700,000 tab includes $200,000 to hire a director of operations; $350,000 for business development and marketing; $50,000 for legal and professional services; $50,000 for Internet presence and $50,000 for the location.

Philp introduced a host of officials who support the effort and encouraged the city-county to consider a partnership with RMSC.

Anthony Preite, director of the Montana Department of Commerce; Dick Clark, the state's chief information officer; Earl Dodd, of Cypress, Texas, managing director for strategy and business development for IBM; Jim Kambich, president of the Montana Economic Revitalization and Development Institute; Frank Gilmore, Montana Tech chancellor; Pat Dudley, president of the National Center for Health Care Informatics in Butte; Air Force Col. James Wright of Florida; and Jim Smitham, executive director of the Butte Local Development Corp., are among those who spoke in favor of the project.

Commissioners also were given letters of support from Gov. Brian Schweitzer and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

"We certainly hope the supercomputer is set up and running here in Butte," said Col. Wright.

The military, he said, uses supercomputers for training for missions such as pararescue operations, tactical air control and recruiting.

"A supercomputer would help us with much of this," Col. Wright said.

Smitham described the proposed partnership as a "golden opportunity" for the area.

"The opportunities are endless," he said.

Gilmore told council supercomputing could create new opportunities for Montana Tech and the surrounding area.

"It is critical," he said. "It is important to this city. It is important to Montana Tech." Philp told commissioners RMSC has generated $3.2 million in investments including $1.2 from state and private contributions and $1.6 million from IBM for equipment and software.

Also, a $400,000 economic development grant is being sought to renovate the Thornton Building, Broadway and Wyoming, which would house the supercomputer.

He is seeking another $2 million state and federal sources toward the project.

Commissioners told Philp the local government would need time to review Philp's request and identify how it could be funded through local coffers.

"This is a large and complicated process," said council chairman Charlie O'Leary.

Chief Executive Paul Babb said there will likely be legal questions, but said the $700,000 could possibly be taken from metal mines tax payments.

The city-county also is reviewing whether tapping into capital improvement funds is an option.

Commissioner Rocko Mulcahy recommended looking into allocating less money than requested, or a loan package that would be repaid to the taxpayers.

Council agreed to review the proposal in the coming weeks and continue deliberations.

"We have to flesh this thing out entirely," O'Leary said.

— Reporter Justin Post may be reached at justin.post@lee.net or by telephone, 496-5572.

Centers' board members listed Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Centers is a Montana-based, private, nonprofit corporation, according to information presented by Alex Philp to the council Wednesday.

It's administered by a board of directors, which includes Philp; Larry Hall, president, S&K Electronics, Pablo; Paul Tuss, executive director, Bear Paw Development Corp., Havre; and Joe Figueira, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and research, Montana Tech.

Philp is also chief executive officer of GCS Research, Missoula; http://www.gcs-research.com/