Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

October 2008 Issue

• Software helping hurricane teams
  A Web-based software program that helps emergency responders better understand the potential impacts of disasters was created by developers in the Richland, Wash. more...
• Solar energy company expanding facilities and research
  Infinia Corporation, a Kennewick, Wash.-based company focused on solar power, is expanding its manufacturing facilities for production of energy-generating devices that use solar power. more...
• Viper FanJet featured on Discovery Channel
  The Viper FanJet, a member of the personal aircraft family manufactured by Pasco, Wash.-based Viper Aircraft, was featured on an episode of the series NextWorld on the Discovery Channel . more...
• New Software Product
  Future Point Systems, based in Richland, Wash., has released enhancements to its Starlight Visual Information Systems software. more...
• *Three PNNL staff members appointed to tech-based economic development positions
  Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire has appointed Mike Schwenk of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to the Board of Directors for the Washington Technology Center. more...
• *WSU ranks 18th in nation for entrepreneurship
  Out of more than 2,300 schools surveyed by Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review, Washington State University was recognized as having one of the top 50 entrepreneurship programs. more...
• Tri-Cities improves ranking in survey
  The Tri-Cities Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, Wash., moved up 40 spots to rank 29th on the Milken Institute's 2008 Best Performing Small Cities list. more...
• *PNNL staff member honored
  Gary Spanner was named the Outstanding Alumnus of the year by the Columbia Basin College Foundation. more...

• Lockheed Martin donates in-kind services
  Lockheed Martin is donating $150,000 worth of in-kind contributions to develop an innovative brand and image for the Tri-Cities Research District. more...
• TechRealization summary
  The past year's progress report was one of the main features of the TechRealization workshop held August 27. more...

• Digital firms offer internships
  Vivid Learning Systems and Imageworks Digital Media, both based in Pasco, Wash., are seeking interns for graphic design, interactive programming, marketing, and/or sales. more...
• Microloan program established
  Local companies may receive up to $250,000 in loans for business development and expansion. The Columbia Regional Economic Development Trust (CREDiT) has been set up to provide "microloans" to businesses in the Tri-Cities, Wash. more...
• Resources online
  1) The article "Web 2.0 taking over business communications" was published in the Tri-City Herald on August 31. more...

• SmartMap Expo
  SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2. The Tri-City Development Council's 6th Annual SmartMap Expo, a large manufacturing networking event, will be held September 30 through October 2 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash. more...
• Bridging Partnerships Small Business Symposium
  OCTOBER 15-16. DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 30. The 2008 Bridging Partnerships Small Business Symposium will be held October 15-16 in Pasco, Wash. more...
• Washington Economic Development Association conference
  OCTOBER 8-10. The 2008 Fall Washington Economic Development Association Conference, "Economic Prosperity through Partnerships," will include seminars on branding, project implementation and funding, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and business retention and recruitment tools. more...
• Small Business Innovation Research conference
  OCTOBER 28-29. The 2008 Idaho Regional Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Conference will teach small businesses how to apply for and write grant proposals that can lead to millions of dollars in federal grants. more...
• Small Business Regional luncheon
  OCTOBER 30. The Washington Policy Center will hold a Small Business Regional Luncheon to help small businesses understand how new legislation could impact their businesses, and to help them with ideas for making their companies more "green." The luncheon is October 30 at the Red Lion Hotel in Richland, Wash. more...
• Seminars for Small Business
  The Columbia Basin College Institute for Professional Development offers the following workshops in October, from 6 to 9 pm. more...

• Entrepreneur University conference
  NOVEMBER 6. REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 4. The Northwest Entrepreneur Network's "Entrepreneur University 2008: Raise Your eIQ" conference is scheduled for November 6 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. more...
• Learn About Web conference
  NOVEMBER 7. The first annual "Learn About Web" conference is scheduled for November 7 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash. more...

We invite your contributions! We will consider items that fit the mission of this publication, including your tech-related news, awards, and notices of upcoming events. Please send text to Andrea McMakin or call (509) 372-6013.

Tri-Cities Tech Business Update is published by the Economic Development Office at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Each month, we send you an e-mail message, giving you the link of news, tips, awards, upcoming events, and other information about local technology-based businesses and organizations that support them. With business and community partners, our goal is to build and diversify the Tri-Cities economy—adding skilled jobs in primary-sector industries that bring in outside dollars. Currently, more than 1,100 tech-related businesses, investors, and economic development stakeholders subscribe to the newsletter, mostly in the Mid-Columbia area and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. This newsletter (RL-P00-009) supports PNSO's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters.