The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research is a Region 2000 initiative to develop an industry-focused regional research and development center that drives the development of innovative products and processes by providing local access to university and federal research and inventions. It targets the growth industries specific to the region and puts university innovations into action through practical implementation in industry. The goal is to increase the competitiveness for core, high wage industries and improve the long-term prospects of existing industrial employers by creating a knowledge-based research hub for the region. The CAER focuses on research and education for the nuclear energy cluster and wireless communications cluster