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Federal grant will lift Helena College of Technology programs – good news for Helena’s Summit Aeronautics Group as well

February 14, 2004 /

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In the high-tech world of aerospace engineering, firms that can’t keep up with the latest technology are quickly left in the dust.

That’s why a $100,000 federal appropriation to the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology to expand its composite technology and aviation technology programs is not only good news for the college, but good news for Helena’s Summit Aeronautics Group http://www.summitaero.com/ as well.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

http://helenair.com/articles/2004/02/14/helena_top/a01021404_04.txt

The appropriation, which came in a recently passed Labor, Health and Human Services bill, will pay for equipment and training for teachers in the manufacture of composite materials for aircraft builders.

"It’s a great opportunity for the college and for Summit to further expand our ability to provide quality to our customers," said Summit president Tom Hoffman.

Summit, which has earned contracts from several of the country’s largest aerospace and defense companies, works extensively with composites, or strong, lightweight materials used in the manufacture of aircraft. The firm has hired a number of UM-HCT graduates.

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CORPORATE OFFICES

3200 Skyway Drive

Helena, MT 59602

Phone: 406-449-2515

Fax: 406-449-6524

2220 Atlanta Rd. Ste. 112

Smyrna, GA 30080

Phone: 770-438-7900

Tom Hoffman – President

Kevin Van Dyke – Vice President

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"We’ve had a good history with Summit that continues to grow, and this is another step to help them continue to expand," said UM-HCT president Steve Hoyle.

Hoyle said the appropriation was a joint effort between the college faculty, Summit and Sen. Conrad Burns. He’s optimistic that in addition to helping the college train students for work at Summit, further developing the composite and aviation programs may lure other firms to Montana.

"This is just one more way the college is building partnerships with the private sector for economic expansion," Hoyle said. "We’re on the right track."

"It’s a great step," Hoffman added. "The college has been great for us."

John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080 or [email protected]