Last modified: Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Federal grants to help IURTC spur small business development throughout Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Research & Technology Corporation will receive two grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration to bolster small business development throughout the state.
Mark Long, IURTC president and CEO, and Emily Duncan, a former consultant with Thomas P. Miller and Associates, helped acquire $150,000 from two programs, the Federal and State Technology Partnership and the Rural Outreach Program. Both grant programs are administered by SBA's Office of Technology.
"These grants will bring in federal dollars that will help us cover the state and provide grant assistance to as many small businesses as possible," Long said. "This is money that can be used for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program opportunities with small businesses."
IURTC staff will use the FAST grant to develop a statewide database of potential SBIR applicants, deliver and coordinate grant counseling to entities eligible for the SBIR program, implement a "phase 0" grant program that provides SBIR proposal preparation services, and sponsor workshops and seminars that will provide mentoring and networking opportunities to small business owners and entrepreneurs. ROP money will be used to increase marketing and outreach efforts to Indiana's rural communities, develop new and expanded partnerships with Indiana's business incubators, and present "phase I" and "phase II" proposal preparation workshops throughout the state using videoconferencing technology.
Despite the support of Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and other members of Congress, the futures of the FAST and ROP programs remain in question. The Bush administration's 2005 budget request for SBA did not include funds for either program. The House let that omission stand. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $2 million for FAST and $250,000 for ROP. No further action on the federal budget is expected until next month.
IURTC, which is likely to have set a new license revenue record for itself in FY 2004 ($8.8 million), provides access to IU's technology expertise, expands Indiana's research and development and technology infrastructure, and creates collaborative environments to advance Indiana's technology future.
To speak with Mark Long, call 317-278-1901 or e-mail mslong@indiana.edu.
