Commerce Funds Rural/Inner-City Tech Needs Assessment

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the National Institutes of Standards (NIST) and Technology have awarded a $350,000 grant to the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) for a technology-based economic development project to boost the growth of Michigan businesses. The pilot project is expected to serve as a model for possible state and nationwide efforts on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

ITI will assess the technology needs of the state's rural and inner-city SMEs. ITI also will study ways in which technical assistance can best be provided to these businesses.

Deficiencies in resources related to manufacturing technology have contributed to the slow growth of many SMEs. Factors include a depleted number of skilled, reliable and available workers; little access to technology both regionally and among disadvantaged population segments; the lack of an R&D base linking technology development with the local business community; and, a lack of a cost-efficient and effective means of providing small manufacturers with technical assistance in rural portions of the state.

The grant to ITI was provided through EDA's Local Technical Assistance Program. More information on the program can be found on the web at http://www.doc.gov/eda/html/locltech.htm