SBA to honor Idaho efforts to aid tech – TechConnect a winner

Idaho’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the science and technology sector will get national recognition Monday from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA’s Office of Advocacy selected three Idaho programs for a "best practices" award to be presented at an economic development conference in Washington, D.C.

The conference will highlight the 19 best state and regional initiatives to stimulate small business growth, create new jobs and improve local economies.

"We are very proud that Idaho’s innovation community is receiving this recognition,” Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said. "These programs help connect entrepreneurs to resources they may not have access to otherwise. It’s this helpful boost that often makes the difference between success and failure and shows that Idaho is business friendly and ready to grow."

Three collaborators involved with Idaho’s programs will be in Washington for the conference. They are Boise State University Professor Norris Krueger, Rick Ritter of the Idaho Small Business Development Center and Nancy Bergmann, representing Bechtel BWXT Idaho, former contractor at the Idaho National Laboratory.

Mike Maharry
The Idaho Statesman

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050305/NEWS02/503050304/1029

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Nampa’s TechConnect wins national SBA award

Mike Maharry
The Idaho Statesman

TechConnect, an Idaho program designed to spur entrepreneurship and economic growth, has won a national "Best Practices" award from the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The program was one of four selected from among 19 finalists at the Putting It Together: The Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development conference held over the weekend in Washington, D.C.

"Encouraging entrepreneurship is a key component of local, regional, and state economic development," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "TechConnect shows a clear dedication to innovations in public policy that encourage entrepreneurs and provide an environment where they can flourish. It demonstrates market-based results and ought to be replicated across the country."

Based in Nampa, the TechConnect program has what the SBA called "a clear set of major strategies," and concentrates its efforts on specific scientific and technological areas. The program combines education, networking, venture capital and government/business collaboration to accomplish its goals. Sullivan said one of the more innovative features is the use of university students to support entrepreneurial development with a program called TEAMS.

The state has TechConnect offices in Post Falls, Idaho Falls and Nampa.

http://technology.idaho.gov/Portal/ICL/alias__technology.idaho/tabID__5496/DesktopDefault.aspx

TechConnect West
Rick Ritter, Director
(208) 426-6613
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bsutecenter.com

TechConnect East
William Sellars, Director
(208) 523-9898
Email: [email protected]

TechConnect North
Henry Artis, Director
(208) 262-2039 x1450
Email: [email protected]

The Washington conference was co-sponsored by the Office of Advocacy of the SBA, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Council of State Governments, and the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050309/NEWS0202/503090317/1029/NEWS02