Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

April 2010 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Local agency receives business development grant

The Benton Franklin Council of Governments has been selected to receive a Microenterprise Project Grant award from the Washington State Microenterprise Association. The funding will help the agency start a microenterprise development program in partnership with the city of Benton City, Wash. The Council is a cooperative effort among local cities, counties, ports, and utilities to focus on solving problems that affect the region. Contact Art Tackett at 509-943-9185.

Meier named finalist for national award

Kennewick, Wash.-based Meier Architecture Engineering is a finalist for the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The company is one of seven regional finalists for the award following its selection as a Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winner. The awards program honors small businesses for creating jobs and driving economic growth. The winner will be announced at the America's Small Business Summit in Washington, DC in May. Contact Denise Sweeden at 509-735-1589.

Tri-City Engineer of the Year

The area manager of J-U-B Engineers, Inc. in Kennewick, Wash. was named the 2009 Tri-City Engineer of the Year during the Tri-Cities Engineer Week banquet in February. Ben Volk manages an office with 30 staff members and also volunteers with the Future City program. The program encourages middle school students to pursue careers in engineering, math, and science fields. For the Future City competitions, students design a city of the future using simulation software, build a scale model, write essays, and give presentations. Volk has volunteered as an engineer mentor with the program for nine years and his teams have won the Washington State competition the last five years. Contact Ben Volk at 509-783-2144.

Refresh 2010

Imageworks and Vivid Learning Systems, both based in Pasco, Wash., are getting ready to launch the third annual Refresh Award competition. The companies will begin accepting nominations for Refresh '10 in April. The competition focuses on building competitive business advantages by providing a local business with an online makeover-or refresh. Anyone can nominate a business for consideration. An independent panel representing the fields of marketing, business, and academia will identify the top 10 nominees and then a separate panel of local business leaders will select the top three winners. First prize is $5,000 towards a new company/organization website. More information on last year's event.

Contact Chris Collier at 509-545-1800.

Dade Moeller staff member re-elected to national council

The executive vice-president of Richland, Wash.-based Dade Moeller & Associates, Inc. has been selected to serve a second six-year term on the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Council members are selected based on their scientific expertise and serve as individuals, not as representatives for an organization. William E. Kennedy, Jr. is a Fellow in the Health Physics Society and has authored or co-authored more than 160 technical publications, presentations, and short courses. The Council serves as a scientific authority for U.S. federal agencies and the public, providing independent scientific analysis, information, and recommendations on radiation protection issues. Contact Paula Tumlinson at 509-946-0410, ext. 283.

Vista Engineering Technologies expands services

Vista Engineering Technologies, based in Richland, Wash., will launch a new engineering and consulting service focused on sustainability and renewable energy initiatives. The new service will augment the company's services in engineering and technology development. Vista has hired K.C. Kuykendall to lead the new effort. Kuykendall has more than 20 years experience including sustainable design and development, green construction, and sustainable policy development for industry and community health. Contact Phil Ohl at 509-737-1377.

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Apply for Research and Technology Development grants

The Washington Technology Center is still accepting applications for its next round of research grants aimed at transitioning great ideas out of the laboratory and into the marketplace. Washington technology businesses can apply for a Research and Technology Development grant that can pay up to 80% of the cost of a research project. Project teams are eligible to receive up to $100,000 for initial proof-of-concept projects and up to $300,000 total for multi-phase projects. Applications are due April 22. Contact Russell Paez at 206-616-3102.

Video contest for small businesses

Microsoft and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the "It's Time for Business with Office 2010 Video Contest." The grand prize is $10,000. Small businesses located in Washington State with seven or fewer full-time employees are eligible to enter. To enter, download a free trial version of Office 2010 and then create a video about using it in your business. Videos must be at least 30 seconds and no longer than two minutes. The deadline is April 22. More information and submission form.

Resources online

1) The column "Tri-Cities in line to attract tech companies" was published in the Tri-City Herald on March 7. The article discusses the types of businesses currently attracting venture capital funding and the opportunities for this region to attract those new businesses. 2) The presentation "Renewable Energy Economic Development" was shared at the Tri-Cities Research District Speaker Series on March 9. The presentation focuses on the importance of renewable energy, focusing on wind and solar power, and how renewable technology manufacturing vs. energy generation opportunities are best-suited for different regions.

Cleantech Open competition accepting submissions

The 2010 Cleantech Open competition for clean technology startup businesses is underway. The Cleantech Open is the world's largest clean technology competition. The competition focuses on accelerating the development of clean technology startups by providing resources, education and support for clean technology entrepreneurs. Two Richland, Wash.-based businesses--Innovatek and NHThree-were regional semi-finalists in 2009. The top prize nationally is $250,000 is cash and services. Additionally, regional winners receive up to $30,000 in cash and services. The early bird deadline for a discounted entry fee is April 22. The final entry deadline is May 22. More information about the competition. Online entry form.

Nominate a local technology startup to be a reality TV star

Information technology expert Bob Cringely is launching a "Not in Silicon Valley" Startup Tour that will feature 24 companies in a 12-hour reality television series. Nominations are being accepted in six categories: biotech, energy, entertainment, information technology, materials, and transportation. Cringely and his family will begin visiting the selected companies in June in their motor home. They will spend a couple of days at each location learning about the company, its staff, its technology, and its market, and filming the results for the television show. More information. Nominate a company.

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Washington's Innovation Summit 2010

APRIL 9. REGISTER BY APRIL 7. The Washington Technology Center will hold Washington's Innovation Summit 2010 in April in Tacoma, Wash. The event focuses on sustaining a world-class economy through innovation and industry development by bringing together the region's leading companies and thought leaders. Former NASA astronaut and Sunnyside, Wash. native Dr. Bonnie Dunbar will be a featured speaker. Other speakers include Mike Davis, Associate Laboratory Director of the Energy and Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Steve Ashby, Deputy Director for Science and Technology at PNNL; as well as Rogers Weed, director of the state Department of Commerce. The cost is $50 for the luncheon only and $230 for the full event if you register by April 7. Register online.

Clean Tech Open launch

APRIL 13-SPOKANE. APRIL 20-SEATTLE. The Clean Tech Open will launch its second annual Pacific Northwest competition in April. The Clean Tech Open is the world's largest clean technology competition. Two Richland, Wash.-based businesses--Innovatek and NHThree-were regional semi-finalists in 2009. The Eastern Washington Overview Kickoff Meeting will be held from 3 to 5 pm on April 13 at the Greater Spokane Incorporated building located at 801 W. Riverside Avenue in Spokane, Wash. The event is sponsored by Avista, CH2M Hill, the Consortium of Leading Energy Efficiency Northwest Companies, Greater Spokane Incorporated, and Sirti. The Clean Tech Open organization will hold a reception from 5 to 7 pm on April 20 during the GoGreen Conference at the Hyatt at Olive 8 located at 1635 8^th Avenue at Olive Way in Seattle, Wash. There is no cost to attend the Spokane event. The cost to attend the Seattle reception is $24. For the Spokane event RSVP to Meredith Funk at 509-321-3632. Register online for the Seattle event.

2010 Bridging Partnerships symposium

APRIL 28-29. REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 15 FOR DISCOUNTED RATE. The Department of Energy and the Tri-City Development Council will host the Bridging Partnerships Small Business Symposium at the Trade Recreation and Agriculture Center in Pasco, Wash. in April. The event offers small businesses opportunities for networking, partnering, and education. Topics include government contracting and recovery act funding updates. The keynote speaker will be "The Mattress Queen" Sunny Kobe-Cook, founder of Sleep Country USA. The cost is $50 for early registrations and $75 after April 15. Download registration form. Contact Kayla Pratt at 509-735-1000.

Workplace relationships seminar

MAY 4. REGISTER BY APRIL 28. The Columbia Basin Chapter of the American Society for Quality's May meeting will feature speaker Rick Martinez, founder of Peak Performance Systems in Richland, Wash. The presentation "You're Not My Type" will focus on identifying personality types within the workplace and developing effective working relationships. The meeting will be held at the Shilo Inn in Richland, Wash., with check-in and networking beginning at 5:30 pm, chapter business and buffet dinner at 6 pm, followed by the presentation at 7 pm. The cost is $17 for members and $20 for non-members or $5 for the presentation only. Register by April 28. To register, contact Alvin Langstaff at (509) 371-2221 with your name, phone number, and company affiliation.

PNNL This Month

Nuke detection protection runs coast to coast

All vehicle cargo crossing between the U.S. and Canada now gets scanned for radioactive materials, following the deployment of radiation detection technology that spans from coast to coast along the border. The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory recently completed installation of the radiation portal monitor system securing all land ports of entry via the northern border. "This marks a key accomplishment for PNNL by meeting a target set by the U.S. government dedicated to protecting and strengthening our borders," said Asim Khawaja, project manager of the Radiation Portal Monitor Project. There are now more than 850 of the monitors installed along both the northern and southern borders of the U.S. Read the complete news release.

Former PNNL director honored in video tribute

The legacy of the former laboratory director at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is the subject of an inspirational video honoring his achievements. "The Life and Legacy of Dr. William R. Wiley" is a collaboration between PNNL and the National Visionary Leadership Project, a non-profit organization that preserves the wisdom of black elders who shaped American history. The 12-minute video discusses Wiley's life and accomplishments as well as the past, present, and future of American blacks in science, engineering, and other technical fields. Read the complete news release. Watch the video.

Got News?

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 DOE-Richland's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters