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Idaho Partnership Creates Regional S&T Office

July 12, 2002
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Governor Dirk Kempthorne has announced the creation of TechConnect East, a regional science and technology office to be located at the Idaho State University Incubation Center in Pocatello, Idaho.

Funded with $30,000 from Bechtel, an engineering-construction firm, $25,000 from the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council (EIEDC), and $15,000 from the state, TechConnect East will support job creation and high-tech business development in southeastern Idaho. Additional office and administrative support will be provided by Idaho State University and the Bannock Development Corporation, an economic development organization in Pocatello.

Dr. Bill Shipp, President and General Manager of Bechtel's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) office in Idaho Falls, says TechConnect East will help the area expand a wide array of emerging industries, ranging from biotechnology and improving agriculture to software and systems development. INEEL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory.

Shipp, who also serves as the Governor's Science & Technology Advisor, believes the office should focus on specific areas of expertise in eastern Idaho, including information security, subsurface technology, environmental remediation, integrated circuit design, radiation sciences, particle acceleration and more.

TechConnect East staff will report to a regional advisory board of personnel from the EIEDC, Bannock Development Corporation, the Regional Development Alliance, Idaho State University and INEEL.

In addition to TechConnect East, economic development officials hope to create regional offices in other parts of the state.

Idaho