State and Local Tech-based ED RoundUp

Arizona

The Arizona State Legislature has agreed to pull $10 million from the Arizona Job Training Program due to a current budget crisis, according to the Arizona Daily Star. A temporary agreement until the Legislature adopts the state budget, the cut in funding for the  program would preserve grants that have been approved but have  not been awarded. About $400,000 for program funding would remain until July 1. The training grants provided through the program enable companies to administer formal training to boost their employees' skills; it is the only state program in Arizona that provides in-house training.



Cleveland, Ohio

The Lubrizol Corporation recently presented CAMP, Inc. with a major intellectual property donation valued at $22.4 million. The donation, which includes patents and related know-how for intelligent fluids, systems and related software, will be used to develop new manufacturing companies in Northeast Ohio. CAMP's Manufacturing and Technology Complex, which will house the donated Lubrizol technologies, is expected to serve as an incubator. Currently, CAMP is helping launch 10 new manufacturing and technology companies.



Colorado

In an effort to integrate two fields of study, the University of Colorado at Denver's Bard Center for Entrepreneurship is concluding this week a two-weekend workshop designed to give 50 engineers and technical professionals hands-on training in business. The center's Art and Business of Innovation workshop has included discussions on visionary leadership, concept development and strategy analysis, among other topics, and is the first in a series of business innovation programs to be held. The Colorado Institute of Technology awarded UCD a $150,000 grant for the programs.



Iowa

Higher education officials across Iowa are pushing for passage of the Between the Rivers program to retain graduates through forgivable loans, according to the Telegraph Herald. Under the program, up to $5,500 over four years would be offered to high school graduates, GED recipients and returning armed forces personnel who attend any two- or four-year institution. In addition, a post-graduation tax incentive of $200 per year or $600 for 10 years would be offered to those not receiving the full award. Program proponents hope to receive $6.1 million in pledged support from Iowa businesses and industry, as the total bonded indebtedness after four years of the program is anticipated at $143 million.



Mississippi

Plans for the Stennis Technology Park, including a shared resources building valued at almost $3.5 million, are nearing finalization, according to the Associated Press. At least 100 acres will be purchased for the park, but the cost of the land is unknown. The initial development cost for infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and wideband fiber-optics, is expected to exceed $15 million.



North Dakota

As a means to promote their region as ideal for business expansion, organizations in Traill, Griggs and Steele counties have formed the East Central Technology Council, the Grand Forks Herald reported. The partnership includes the Traill County Economic Development Commission, Griggs-Steele Empowerment Zone, Traill County Technology Center, Cooperstown/Griggs Development Center and economic development organizations in each of seven cities.



Ohio

A new online resource, www.OhioTechNet.org, is giving entrepreneurs expanded access to patented technologies developed by Northeast Ohio's research institutions and increasing the technologies' chance for commercialization, Crain's Cleveland Business recently reported. Stored at the site are roughly 500 pieces of patented intellectual property, including polymer developments, fuel cells and the life sciences. Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University, the portal's two founding  institutions, are among several key players supporting the site, which is open to anyone.



Wyoming

Governor Jim Geringer recently gave new life to the Wyoming Business Council, signing a bill that will allow the council to continue operating for five more years. The public-private agency was set to expire in July 2003. This information is courtesy of the Associated Press.