BMT HIGHLIGHTS YEAR OF CHANGE

The 1998 annual report of the Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation (BMT) addresses various changes encountered by the organization this year.

The most significant organizational change was BMT’s decision to operate without annual state appropriations. The program is funded with a combination of reserves from the previous 15 years of state support, federal grants and fee-for-service income. The annual report states that BMT is meeting the challenges that come with this significant programmatic change.

To make the transition from direct state support, BMT has increased its menu of services available within its three service areas of retail (one-on-one assistance to companies), wholesale (multi-company assistance projects i.e. industry alliances), and technology (federal lab access, university technology assistance, microelectronic design, etc.) While many of BMT's services remain free of charge to Indiana companies, new services are creating revenue. Annual returns on BMT's high-risk loan portfolio has aided in the transition.

In summarizing its results, BMT noted the following:

• High-risk, cutting edge technology development had become less visible,

• Workforce availability and and worker skill issues have become key,

• More small manufacturers have learned about BMT and want to use BMT services,

• Alliances of companies are becoming an accepted strategy for building competitiveness,

• Individual BMT services delivered to clients continue to have definite economic impact.

The full report is available at http://www.bmtadvantage.org/ or on compact disc by calling BMT at 800-877-5182.