Local TBED Round Up

Blythewood, South Carolina 

With an estimated population of 450, the community of Blythewood is soon to be home to the largest technology development project undertaken by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, according to an August 9 article in The State. The agency has identified 1,400 acres of land for creation of a research and technology park. Planners anticipate the community's proximity to Columbia, the University of South Carolina, and several large tech businesses will help attract new tech jobs to the area. 



Camden, Arkansas 

The Associated Press reports grants to Camden, totaling $3 million, from the Economic Development Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are being used to clear and decontaminate a brownfield site to make way for a new business incubator and light industrial park. The incubator facility will be financed by a local sales tax approved by Camden voters to support economic development efforts. 



Lorain, Ohio 

Lorain County Community College is building a $6 million Engineering and Developmet Center to house facilities for software development, computer science programs and the Great Lakes Incubator for Development Enterprises, a technology business incubator. The center will place considerable attention on helping area manufacturing businesses become more technologically advanced or digitized. Manufacturing accounts for 31 percent of the county's employment base. More information is available at http://www.lorainccc.edu/nbbj/etdchome.html 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

In an effort to retain and attract tech-skilled workers, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and several tech firms have joined forces to launch Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM). The companies paid $3,000 each for their younger workers (in their mid 30s or younger) to become members of the group, which holds events for networking, socializing, and career advancement and professional development. Individual memberships are $150. More information is available at http://www.ypm.mmac.org 

Tampa, Florida 

A new tech-focused incubator opened in the Tampa Bay area this week. TechVillage Tampa Bay is a 10,000 sq. ft. facility owned by the University of Tampa. The University will provide entrepreneurial assistance and mentoring as well as office space for up to four companies. A second, larger tech incubator for Tampa is scheduled to open this fall at the University of South Florida. 



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