Gov. Mark R. Warner will be in Suffolk next week to announce the creation of the Management Training, Analysis and Simulation Center (EMTASC), to be located in the &uot;Sim City&uot; area of north Suffolk.

EMTASC was described in a press release as &uot;a groundbreaking private sector initiative devoted to providing state-of-the-art training and support for homeland security and emergency management command and management operations.&uot;

EMTASC will be housed at Old Dominion University’s Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation (VMASC) in Suffolk until new facilities are built.

Local officials were enthusiastic over the announcement.

&uot;Modeling and simulation is becoming a bigger part of our economy and it’s wonderful that most of that work is being done right here in the city,&uot; said Del. S. Chris Jones. &uot;This will mean in my opinion a continuation of growth with jobs and investment in the city and will further diversify our tax base. I know it’s starting out small.

&uot;This new emergency management training analysis and simulation center solidifies the city of Suffolk as being on the leading edge of modeling and simulation technology and we hope this attracts further interest from other developers who want to take advantage of this new technology,&uot; said Suffolk Economic Development Director Tom O’Grady.

O’Grady said he had been provided with no figures on capital investment and job creation and that it was his understanding it would &uot;start small.&uot;

ODU spokeswoman Jennifer Martin said Wednesday that the EMTASC mission is to mitigate loss of life and property due to manmade and natural disasters by preparing emergency command and management personnel and organizations.

&uot;The Center employs world-class expertise and state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools to conduct training, exercises, analysis, and operational support for disaster management and homeland security situations,&uot; she said.

Warner’s announcement will take place Wednesday at ODU’s VMASC, 700 College Drive in Suffolk. A demonstration for the governor will begin at 1:10 p.m. followed by a formal program at 1:30.

andy.prutsok@suffolknewsherald.com