State & Local Tech-based ED RoundUp

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tenants of the Sante Fe Business Incubator have seen their one-story building increase from 10,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft., according to a story by the Albuquerque Journal. The expansion is part of a $2.5 million project funded by the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Regional Development Corporation and other agencies.

Arizona

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce has started the Women's Business Growth Leadership Council to help boost women owned business revenue in Arizona, the Business Journal in Phoenix reported. The group is designed to help women better obtain financing and procurement opportunities from the government and large corporations.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Valley State University, First Power and Siemens Corporation recently announced their plan for a long-term partnership that will focus on research and development of new energy technologies to be highlighted at a new Energy Center of Excellence in Muskegon. The plan calls for a research institute to explore alternative sources of energy, a business incubator to develop energy-related ventures, a resource base, an education and training center, and a conference center. The Center would serve as international energy technology destination.

New Jersey

Administrators and students at the state's colleges and universities await the launching of NJEDge.Net, a $100-million high-speed inter-campus Internet network set to be fully operational by September. A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education reported 37 two- and four-year institutions will benefit from the project. All participants will receive high-quality video and data transmission and will be able to share research, resources and equipment.

Primary and secondary schools also will benefit from NJEDge.Net, and corporations may access the network to search for specific research and academic programs, according to the Chronicle. In addition, workers across the state will be able to sharpen their skills through distance-education programs.

The $100-million cost is being divided between improving participants' broadband infrastructure and constructing inter-campus connections. Member institutions are funding half the cost, while a matching grant from the state's Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Fund is covering the other half.

Oakland, California

A new association, the Bay Area Incubator Alliance (BAIA), is providing a structure for educating fledgling businesses, the Oakland Tribune reported. Quarterly meetings held by BAIA will enable participants to share knowledge and acquire strategies for obtaining greater access to capital. BAIA initially convened in April for a meeting that entertained 10 incubating institutions, most of which are serving technology-related startups.

Oklahoma City

The growing Oklahoma Health Center Research Park will be bolstered by a new $16 million research building to have 125,000 sq. ft. of leasable space, according to the Daily Oklahoman. Approved by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, the research building is anticipated to be completed by spring 2003.

Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Technology and Research Park (OTRP) has been awarded a $1.25 million EDA grant for developing an additional 80 acres to accommodate new tech-based companies. The project includes site work, an access roadway, and an accelerator building. OTRP, which is operated by Oklahoma State University, Meridian Technology Center, and the City of Stillwater, presently is home for 13 innovative companies based on various technology platforms.

West Virginia

A technology park in Montgomery, an economically depressed community in the upper Kanawha Valley, may soon benefit from a $2.8 million request for expansion, according to the Charleston Daily Mail. Members of the state's Economic Development Grant Committee are considering a request put forth by the Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation to use the funds to build a second office building and parking lots for housing three more companies. The $2.8 million would come from $200 million in total available funds for the project. UKVEDC is hopeful the project will yield 200 jobs and have an overall economic impact of $18.7 million, annually.

Wisconsin

The state Department of Commerce has awarded a total of $55,000 in economic development grants for the creation of two incubators in Madison, a story in the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The nonprofit Genesis Development Corp. will use a $10,000 grant toward an incubator for up to 30 high-tech companies and light manufacturers, and the Technology Education and Commerce Center will construct an incubator at Madison Area Technical College, using a $45,000 grant.