Marshall and Concord Awarded EDA Funds to Assist Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs     

   Marshall and Concord Universities have been awarded $500,000 over five years from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to establish a new resource center to help spur innovation and increase the competitiveness of West Virginia businesses.

   The two universities and the Robert C. Byrd Institute will partner in a collaborative effort to pair small businesses and entrepreneurs in southern West Virginia with resources to help them grow and prosper.  

   The EDA investment will establish the West Virginia EDA University Center at Marshall University.  Through the Center, technical assistance will be provided to help increase business productivity, spur innovation and entrepreneurship, and increase competitiveness and economic diversification of industries.

   In announcing the grant, Rep. Nick Rahall said, "Entrepreneurship from our private sector and creative energies from our universities and the Robert C. Byrd Institute are the key ingredients in this rich mix aimed at helping our businesses excel. The EDA's mission is job creation and it plays a truly dynamic role in planning long-term, sustainable growth for regional economies.  This new center will help our businesses, current and future, to leverage investment in research, development, and training to grow jobs and prosper."

 Benedum Funding to Support New Consortium            

   TechConnectWV has received $50,000 in grant funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to establish an Innovation Transfer Consortium to provide technology transfer services to West Virginia's smaller colleges and universities.  The eighteen smaller colleges and universities in the state, both public and private, could potentially be a partner in the initiative.

   The West Virginia Innovation Transfer Consortium will connect researchers at the state's smaller institutions of higher education with private sector partners to assist them in research collaborations and commercializing new products, services, and technologies. It will provide a mechanism for addressing intellectual property protection issues and tech transfer operations, while also enhancing students' experiences in the classroom.   

   The Benedum Foundation previously provided $30,000 in funding to TechConnectWV to conduct a needs assessment survey of these higher education institutions, which identified demand for such a consortium.  

   "We are grateful to the Benedum Foundation for committing resources to this important project, which will help to strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem," said Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnectWV. "This consortium will enhance research opportunities, accelerate technology transfer, and leverage innovation in the marketplace," she added.

   TechConnectWV will work closely with the WV Higher Education Policy Commission to assist in providing in-kind services and will engage strategic partners and stakeholders throughout the state to provide expertise to the consortium. "Innovation can occur in many places within our institutions of higher education where we strive to create an environment for knowledge creation," said Dr. Paul Hill, Vice Chancellor for Science and Research at the Commission. "This consortium will work to bring viable ideas for commercial product development and jobs to the marketplace," he added.

Nominations Open for 2012 SBA Awards    

   The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) West Virginia District Office is accepting nominations for the successful small business person who might become West Virginia's "Small Business Person of the Year" for 2012 and compete for the national title during National Small Business Week May 20-26, 2012. Nominees are also being sought for SBA's Champion and Special Award categories.  

   The deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. Champion award categories include: Financial Services, Home-Based Business, Minority, Veteran and Women. Special awards include: Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business, Entrepreneurial Success, Small Business Exporter, and Young Entrepreneur.

   Nominations can be made by an individual or an organization. All nominations must be received by the SBA West Virginia District Office no later than Friday, Nov. 18, 2011.

   For details about award criteria and tips for writing a successful nomination, visit the website of the SBA West Virginia District Office.

WV Jobs Investment Trust Succeeding in Mission   

A recently released study found that West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT) has added a $4 million to $9 million economic impact on the state during the past decade. The University of Charleston report found the companies in which WVJIT invested employed nearly 550 full-time workers last year.   With 18 companies located in 11 counties in its portfolio, WVJIT had loans and equity interests valued at $14.6 million last year. The state Legislature established WVJIT in 1994 with the mandate to invest in innovative, fast-growth companies.

     Congratulations to WVJIT Executive Director Andrew Zulauf and his dedicated team for this achievement.

October 12

Technology Exchange Luncheon 

WVHTCF and Affiliate Services Group

Robert H. Mollohan Research Center, Fairmont 

RCBI and the Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems at Marshall University  

Charleston Holiday Inn Express Civic Center   

6-8 pm, RSVP to 800.469.7224   

Federal Technical Assistance Workshop 

Sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Devel. Initiative     

Charleston Civic Center  

November 1

Fourth Annual Security and Biometrics/Forensics Industry Event,

Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation

Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill

Washington, DC   

November 6-9

National SBIR Fall 2011 Conference  

New Orleans, LA

November 8-9              

SSTI 15th Annual Conference 

Columbus, Ohio   

November 13

International Year of Chemistry-West Virginia Events

November 14

NETL Business Opportunity Session

November 14

TechConnectWV Networking Reception