Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

May 2012 Issue

• LSDF announces awards
  The Life Science Discovery Fund (LSDF) has awarded nearly $450,000 to foster commercial translation of new health and health-care products. more...
• Delta High wins 2012 Science Education Advocate Award
  The Delta High School of Richland will be honored May 10 with a 2012 Science Education Advocate Award. more...
• Washington State ranked number five in tax system for entrepreneurs
  Washington State has one of the best tax systems in the country when it comes to supporting entrepreneurship and small business, according to a report out this week from the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. more...
• Tri-Cities ranks high for metros in weekly wages
  In its latest analysis, Garner Economics' research economist Tom Tveidt reports that in February 2012, 344 of 372 U.S. more...
• Tri-City Herald: WSU Tri-Cities wine center gets state funding
  Ground is expected to be broken on a Wine Science Center at Washington State University Tri-Cities in late 2012, thanks to $5 million included in the state capital budget passed April 11. more...
• Rotary Entrepreneur wins at international competition
  David Wyatt, owner of Kennewick-based Loftics and recent recipient of a Richland Rotary Entrepreneurial award, has been honored again in an international photography competition sponsored by the Professional Aerial Photographers Association (PAPA) International. more...
• University of Oregon student team places at Stu Clark Investment Competition
  Emerald Algae, a team of graduate students from the University of Oregon, recently placed fourth in the University of Manitoba Stu Clark Investment Competition, taking home just over $3,000. more...

• LSDF Announces 2012 Commercialization Grant Competition
  The Life Sciences Discovery Fund will be allocating up to $1,000,000 in the next round of its Commercialization Grant competitions. more...
• Cleantech Open entrepreneurial support
  Cleantech Open is on a mission to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. more...
• Online directory of workforce development updated
  The Workforce Board has updated its online directory of Washington workforce development programs. The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board created the directory to provide an in-depth look at the state's education and training programs (short of four-year college programs) and the funding that flows to each program. more...
• Innovate Washington group looks to create business in the state
  During the past couple of years, many people have worked to affect a particular change across Washington: to create a thriving ecosystem to accelerate technology-based economic development and achieve sustainable job growth. more...

• Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year Awards
  May 3. The 17th Annual Mid-Columbia Small Business Awards -- "Leaving Your Print" -- is holding its dinner banquet at the Shilo Inn in Richland. more...
• Cleantech Open Accelerator & Competition application deadline
  May 8. The Cleantech Open Accelerator & Competition consists of a number of key activities: extensive mentoring, training, business clinics, access to investors and capital, numerous opportunities to showcase to the media and the public, and the competition itself. more...
• Energy Storage for the Grid: Watchful Waiting or the Perfect Storm?
  May 8. Enterprise Forum Northwest hosts "Energy Storage for the Grid: Watchful Waiting or the Perfect Storm?" from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. more...
• Introduction to Government Contracting 101
  May 9. What does it take to become a successful government contractor? Introduction to Government Contracting 101 is an opportunity to learn of the services and continuous support that the Procurement Technical Assistance Center has available to help with the contracting process. more...
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Walla Walla Industry Day
  May 10. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District will host "Walla Walla Industry Day 2012" at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center. more...
• TREN EVENT -- The Social Media Sciences -- Achieving the Real Goal...Customers!
  May 17. The Three Rivers Entrepreneur Network presents its May seminar: The Social Media Sciences - Achieving the Real Goal...Customers! How does social media fit into your online marketing strategy? With so many to choose from, how do you choose the right social networks for your business? And how do you a build a relevant following in social media? Read more... more...
• Technology Alliance State of Technology Luncheon
  May 22. The Technology Alliance will hold its 2012 State of Technology Luncheon, "Building a Billion Dollar Business, Optimizing Economic Opportunity," in Seattle. more...
• Meet the Buyer: Doing Business with the Hanford Contractors
  June 12. The Hanford prime contractors and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) purchase millions of dollars' worth of products and services from businesses each year. more...
• WCTA first annual meeting
  June 14. Join Washington State's Cleantech leadership for the inaugural Washington Clean Technology Alliance (WTCA) Annual Meeting from 7:30 - 10:00 a.m. more...

• Technical advancements lead to SBIR Phase II grant
  OMAX Corporation has completed several Technology Assistance Program projects with PNNL. Most recently, PNNL recommended and demonstrated improved test methods for evaluating very-near-surface hardness related to cutting methods. more...
• PNNL estimates potential HVAC energy savings for U.S. commercial buildings
  U.S. commercial building owners could save an average of 38 percent on their heating and cooling bills if they installed a handful of energy efficiency controls that make their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, also known as HVAC, systems more energy efficient, according to a recent report from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. more...
• PNNL Farmers' Market supports local businesses
  In support of local agriculture business, PNNL will be hosting a farmers' market the first Monday of every month from 4-6 p.m. 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 and photos to Diane Kahler or call (509) 372-4133.

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.