While awaiting the final clearances to begin full operations at the 55-acre Calamityville facility, Wright State University’s National Center of Medical Readiness is beginning to draw national attention that could mean millions for the local economy.

News Center 7’s Yuna Lee talked to Fairborn City Manager Deborah McDonnell today about the status and future of the site.

“There’s a lot of interest and we are looking at some hotels, a conference center and we are looking at additional restaurants and other amenities that can support the site,” McDonnell said.

Those contracts are all on hold pending approval by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Calamityville opened in March 2011, but required clearance from the EPA to become fully operational. They held the first course on the first technical training zone in November. Deputy Director Jim Gruenberg said then that all physical environmental cleanup of the site has been completed.

“Now we are going through the administrative process with the state to get the appropriate sign-offs,” he said.

Environmental cleanup of the Calamityville site cost $3 million and was paid for by a Clean Ohio Fund grant, Wright State and a federal grant.

The facility has a projected economic impact of $374 million over a five-year period according to WSU.

The facility is located at the former CEMEX plant at 506 E. Xenia Ave. and is intended for use in training military and civilian medical personnel in disaster response.

The site is getting ready to open up two to three more training zones, with a total of eight planned zones. They will include a simulated plane crash, an earthquake village and a hazardous materials scenario.

Gruenberg said they are also talking with potential students from around the globe.

“We are reaching out across the state and the nation, as well as some international customers as well,” he said.