Grants handed out to high-tech businesses, groups

By DONNELLE ELLER

REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER

Iowa economic development leaders provided money to groups and high-tech businesses they believe will help create job opportunities and improve the state's work force.

The grants and groups were:

- $50,000, IT Olympics at Iowa State University, 500 students compete in cyber defense, robotic and game programming.

- $50,000, Iowa Association of SkillsUSA, demonstration project to spark student interest in welding, machining, engineering and other advanced manufacturing skills.

- $80,000, Technology Association of Iowa, to help pay for an education and awareness program that prepares and attracts students.

Grants, businesses that received them, and fledgling products being brought to market:

- $150,000, Advanced Analytical Technologies of Ames, to break down DNA into smaller fragments to identify bacterial types.

- $50,000, EmTech of Ames, to take minerals from water used to produce ethanol and increase output.

- $50,000, Reference of Elkader, to create more affordable sensors.

- $50,000 Vida Diagnostic of Iowa City, to create diagnostic software for lung research.

- $75,000, Positech of Laurens, to evaluate ergonomics of work space and proposes layout and equipment solutions.