Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

May 2008 Issue

News

Solar energy developer lands $7M investment

Infinia Corp., which is building a manufacturing facility for a solar energy generator, announced a $7 million investment that brings its Series B total to $57 million. The investment is from Foxconn Technology Group, an international technology company based in Taiwan. Infinia, of Kennewick, Wash., will use the funds to begin manufacturing its Stirling-engine-based, 3-kilowatt system in January. Infinia is negotiating orders for its system in the United States and Spain and is seeking new markets in the Asia Pacific region. The company is targeting commercial buyers, including municipal utilities interested in operating solar energy farms. The system, which produces enough electric power to supply the average needs of a U.S. household, can generate up to 9 megawatt-hours of power annually. Contact J.D. Sitton at (509) 735-4700.

*Research grant will help scientists fight liver disease

Battelle, using researchers working from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., and the University of Washington Liver Transplantation Program in Seattle will receive $4.8 million from the Washington State Life Sciences Discovery Fund over the next three years to develop a new proteomics technology and apply it in search of biomarkers for liver disease. No simple blood test exists to determine which of the millions of people infected with hepatitis C virus will develop cirrhosis of the liver or cancer. This work will develop new technology to find blood proteins that herald the earliest signs of chronic liver disease. Contact Mary Beckman at (509) 375-3688.

Wireless modem maker reports record sales

A Kennewick, Wash. wireless modem manufacturer made more than $3 million in sales in 2007, a 15-percent increase from the previous year. Electronic Systems Technology Inc. (OTC: ELST) makes the ESTeem product line of wireless modems. The 2007 results represent the sixth consecutive record sales year for the company. The company was the first to develop the wireless modem and receive U.S. and Canadian patents for the technology. Contact Jon Correio at (509) 735-9092.

*EnergySolutions, Inc. wins more funding for fuel-cycle program

EnergySolutions (NYSE: ES) has received $5.9 million in its third round of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy in support of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. EnergySolutions, including about 30 staff from its 400-person Richland, Wash. office, is leading one of four industry consortia developing plans for an initial nuclear-fuel-recycling center and advanced recycling reactor. The additional funding represents a total of $13.2 million for the Energy Solutions team to date. The firm is using the funding to develop the conceptual design, technology roadmap, and business operations of reprocessing facilities and to establish scope, schedule, and priorities for the long-term advanced processes. EnergySolutions' GNEP Program team includes The Shaw Group, Westinghouse Electric Company, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Booz Allen Hamilton, Nexia Solutions, Nuclear Fuel Services, and Toshiba. Contact Alan Dobson at (509) 375-9800.

New business offers data security

A business launched in January is giving small- and medium-size businesses more confidence in the security of their computer servers and networks. nGenuity Information Services, of Kennewick, Wash., assesses risk and recommends ways to ensure its customers' computer-based information is secure, while keeping crucial computer systems running smoothly. nGenuity develops and implements a customized plan for each customer, including software, staff training, backup systems, and maintenance as appropriate. The firm is working with local companies that provide software and hardware solutions. The young firm is focusing on Tri-Cities customers now, with plans to expand into the rest of Washington. Founders Aaron Howell and Adam Baldwin are nationally accredited security consultants with more than 20 years of computer information technology security experience. Contact Adam Baldwin at (509) 396-2075.

PocketiNet's network adds Los Angeles backup

A new backup Internet data center enables PocketiNet Communications, Inc. to continue providing reliable high-speed Internet connections to its customers, even in an emergency. The company, with offices in Kennewick and Walla Walla, Wash., has added a backup data center and feed in Los Angeles to its existing statewide backbone network. Now, in case of a natural disaster or other unexpected outage to the Seattle region, where the company originates its services, PocketiNet can serve its customers from Los Angeles. If a fiber outage occurs, the network will "self-heal," or automatically switch over to another path. PocketiNet Communications provides broadband services to business and enterprise customers in Eastern Washington and Northeast Oregon. Contact Todd Brandenburg

at (509) or 526-5026.

Biodiesel firm featured in business magazine

Gen-X Energy Group is featured in the April 2008 edition of Exec magazine, an online periodical with a distribution of 250,000 executives in all industries worldwide. The article, "Flexibility to volatility: How Gen-X stays ahead of the game," features Gen-X Chief Executive Scott Johnson talking about the startup company's biodiesel business. After building a biodiesel plant in 2007 in Burbank, Wash., the company now is producing 1 million gallons of biodiesel annually and distributing it in Western Oregon. The firm plans to increase production and go from ten to 40 employees in the next two years. To see the article, click here, then click on the black icon over the magazine cover that says 1/372, which is the page numbering system. When it goes blank, enter 309, the page number where the story begins. Contact Ramon Benavides at (509) 547-2447.

Mike Schwenk named Tri-Citian of the Year

Mike Schwenk, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Director of Technology Deployment and Outreach, was named the 2008 Tri-Citian of the Year at an award banquet on April 5. The Tri-Citian of the Year is selected based on demonstrating service above self as well as outstanding leadership and contribution for positive development, economic growth, and quality of life in the Tri-Cities. During his 29 years in the Tri-Cities, Schwenk has volunteered his time and expertise in leadership roles with business, educational, and economic development organizations and causes. This year's event was organized by local Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Soroptimist clubs. More . . .

*Energy Northwest recertified to international environmental standard

Energy Northwest has been recertified to the International Standards Organization ISO 14001 environmental stewardship standard. The public power agency headquartered in Richland, Wash., underwent a rigorous third-party audit to verify the agency's compliance with the ISO's stringent environmental stewardship standards. Energy Northwest has approximately 20 public power members throughout Washington. The consortium's nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar projects deliver nearly 1,400 megawatts of electricity to the Northwest power grid. Contact Brad Peck.

High-tech gets high pay

High-tech jobs are among the highest paying in Washington, and Benton County ranks particularly high in wages, according to a quarterly census by industry and county for Washington State. The most recent data available, 3^rd quarter 2007, shows that Benton County ranked No. 3 among counties in highest average weekly pay, at $830. The industry category called "professional, scientific, and technical services," ranked the third highest in average weekly pay for 2007, at $1,431. The only two industry categories with higher wages were "management of companies and enterprises" and "information." See the rankings. Click on the page icon at the left to see the data tables. Contact Evelina Tainer at (360) 438-4812.

Tri-Cities Research District

View early concepts of the master plan

Stakeholders are invited to view initial concepts of the 317-acre master plan for the Tri-Cities Research District during the next Research District meeting on May 15. The meeting is 8 am at the Port of Benton offices, 3100 George Washington Way, Richland, Wash. TVA Architects of Portland, Ore., will describe the master plan concepts being developed for the Port of Benton, Solaris Group, and Battelle Memorial Institute, to ensure that development is integrated and balanced among uses.

Upcoming survey

The Research District board is preparing a survey for companies inside the Research District. The results will be used to plan development and serve the needs of existing companies.

Research District shines at national forum

Tri-City Research District representatives were invited to give a case-study presentation at the Federal Economic Development Forum, hosted by the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC in April. The chair of the Research District Board spoke on the topic: "Partnerships for Creating an Entrepreneurial Environment." This session featured innovative entrepreneurial development activities and community partnerships involving business plan competitions, entrepreneurial mentoring programs, and enterprise forums. The presentation is online.

Development updates

RM Construction & Interior Design, Inc. has leased 3.1 acres of land from the Port of Benton with plans to develop two, two-story professional buildings for office and laboratory users. The buildings are approximately 21,000 square feet each and will feature modern architectural elements and technology, including fiberoptic connectivity. 

The Port of Benton recently finished leveling acres north of Penford Foods along the Columbia River for development.  The Port continues to make the site attractive to office and lab users by clearing the property east of the Applied Process Engineering Laboratory and west of the 12 acres, adding another 2.5 acres for development.

Opportunities and Tools

Trade waste products to reduce business costs

The Eastern Washington Industrial Byproducts Recycling association invites businesses to become members. This newly formed trading group is seeking 20 companies that are interested in forming solutions to recycle or redistribute excess waste products. Members will learn which products are available from other businesses that can be used within their own operations, such as compost, plastics, pallets, and hauling equipment. The group has traded over 200,000 pounds of byproducts since January 2008. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for 8 am on Wednesday, May 29 at the TRAC Center in Pasco, Wash. For membership details and more information, contact Ray Lam at (509) 545-3318.

*WSU students offer no-cost marketing plans

Locally owned, for-profit retail or service businesses with at last one year of sales are eligible to apply for free assistance from students at Washington State University Tri-Cities. Teams of one to three students will work with business owners to create a practical marketing plan to increase sales. The students' work is part of a marketing course from June 16 to July 25. There is no cost to the business, but the owner or general manager must meet with the students (in person, email, or phone) once each week. For more information or to apply, contact LoAnn Ayers at (509) 372-7252.

High-tech jobs: A resource

Does your company have open positions for technology-based jobs?  Are you an individual seeking a tech job?  The Tech Job Connection may help. It's a free, web-based listing of people and companies who are seeking or posting technology-based jobs in the Mid-Columbia area of Eastern Washington. To post your job or your resume, go online. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Economic Development Office provides this service as a way to increase technology-based business development in the Mid-Columbia area.

More business visibility

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is seeking exhibitors for its business-to-business marketing event, "Open for Business Expo," from 1 to 7 pm on June 3. It's at the TRAC Center in Pasco, Wash. Exhibiting is open to members and non-members. Booth fees range from $275 to $500. Download an exhibitor form. Contact Elisabeth Holt at (509) 736-0510.

Graduate program in engineering and technology management

Washington State University offers a graduate program in Engineering and Technology Management that can be taken on the WSU Tri-cities campus and via the Internet. The program covers project emphasis, quality and supply chain management, engineering and systems management, and manufacturing leadership, among other topics. Students can enroll throughout the year. The next session begins in June. More information. Contact Patti Elshafei at (509) 335-0125.

*Scientific user facility invites research proposals

The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory has issued its 2008 call for proposals. EMSL is a U.S. Department of Energy national scientific user facility located on the campus of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash. The 225,000-square-foot facility houses some of the world's most advanced research equipment and makes available the multidisciplinary expertise of 200 scientific consultants in chemical, physical, biological, and computational sciences. The proposal deadline is May 15, 5 pm Pacific time. More information, including contacts, is available online.

Tech Summit information online

Video, presentations, and media coverage from the Washington State Technology Summit 2008, held April 15 in Bellevue, Wash., are online now. Experts from Energy Northwest, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Washington State University were among the speakers. The Summit brought together more than 400 technology leaders and innovators in clean technology, renewable energy, global health, and advanced materials and manufacturing.

Building businesses in Washington

Do you know how Washington State's economic development strategy can help you? Get a visual tour at the interactive poster. Click on each image to learn about an organization that offers services that expand the state's economy. The poster was created by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Association of Washington Cities.

*Financing sources

An article on sources of financing for small businesses is online now. It's based on a talk by John Sumpter, Managing Director for Aequitas Capital Management, at a Three Rivers Entrepreneur Network meeting in the Tri-Cities, Wash. in March.

Coming Up

Small business awards

MAY 7. REGISTER BY APRIL 30. The Three Rivers Alliance of Chambers will hold the 13^th Annual Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year Awards at the Three Rivers Convention Center on May 7 in Kennewick, Wash. This year's keynote speaker will be Joe Estey, a productivity expert who will discuss how to build a successful business and career. The cost is $30 per person and $240 to reserve a table of eight. Social hour begins at 6 pm followed by dinner and program at 7 pm. Make reservations by April 30 by contacting Tracy Hill at (509) 967-1063.

*Dedication ceremony: Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory

May 8. Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory invite the public to a dedication ceremony and a tour of the new Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory on WSU Tri-Cities campus on Thursday, May 8, at 11 am, in Richland, Wash. BSEL is a $24.8 million multipurpose facility where WSU faculty and students and PNNL researchers will collaborate to develop science and engineering processes to manufacture bio-based products like fuels, plastics, solvents, and fibers.  More information. Contact Jo Kostoff at (509) 372-7264.

Early-Stage Investment Forum

MAY 9, REGISTER BY MAY 7. Accredited investors have until May 7 to register to attend the 8th annual Early-Stage Investment Forum, presented by the Northwest Entrepreneur Network. It's May 9 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. Twenty-seven early-stage companies will pitch to investors. More information. Contact Peter Quinn at (425) 564-5700.

Applying Six Sigma to improve quality in organizations

MAY 13. REGISTER BY MAY 7. "Six Sigma Basics" is the focus of a meeting of the Columbia Basin section of the American Society for Quality. The meeting will be held May 13 at the Shilo Inn in Richland, Wash. Janice Allison of Bechtel National, Inc., will discuss the methodologies of the Six Sigma and using information and statistical analysis to measure and improve an organization's performance, practices, and systems. Check-in time is 5:30 pm followed by chapter business and a buffet dinner at 6 pm. The presentation begins at 7 pm. The cost is $17 for ASQ members, $20 for non-members, and $5 for attending just the presentation. To register, contact Steve Prevette at (509) 373-9371.

Lockheed Martin's IT Day

MAY 14. Lockheed Martin's Information Technology Day is May 14 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash. This year's theme is "IT Day: 2008 Spotlight Tri-Cities." The exhibit is free to vendors and public. The luncheon is $15 per person. Individuals must register online at for lunch; space is limited. Exhibitor space is full. For more information, and to register, go online or contact an IT Day representative at 1-877-444-5674.

2008 Venture capital forum from Connect Northwest

MAY 14. Angel investors, entrepreneurs, management teams, and business and community leaders are invited to register for Connect Northwest's 3rd Annual Investor Forum. The forum will be held May 14 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Wash. Keynote speaker Rob Monster of Monster Venture Partners will discuss how early-stage venture capital can have a global impact, particularly in advancing innovative medical technologies. A panel of investors and entrepreneurs will discuss investing in early-stage technology, building a successful business, and what attracts venture capitalists. The event begins with a reception at 5 pm and includes a full dinner in addition to the program. The cost is $65. More online. Contact Catherine Greer at (509) 358-2110.

Regional economics conference

MAY 14-16. "Innovation in the Northwest" is the focus of the 2008 Pacific Northwest Regional Economics Conference to be held May 14-16, 2008, at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Wash. Speakers will discuss such topics as the national economic outlook and innovative entrepreneurial processes in three Northwest cities. More than 60 economists will discuss topics such as assessing innovation processes among networked firms, what young people want from the new economy, electric power planning issues, and taxation. See the program agenda. The cost is $390 for the public or private sector, $120 for students, $270 for faculty participating in the Multi-University Symposium, and $200 for just one day. Register by contacting Paul Sommers at (206) 296-6967.

Seminars for small businesses

 

The Columbia Basin College Institute for Professional Development offers the following workshops in May, from 6 to 9 pm. Fees range from $25 to $55 per class. Classes are held at 1620 North 20^th Avenue in Pasco. To register, or to learn about these and other courses in the series, contact Donna Campbell at (509) 542-4806. More information . . .

• May 5 - Excel for Business
• May 6 - Immigration Informed
• May 7 - Financial Management/Cash Flow
• May 8 - Legal Issues in Human Resources
• May 12 - Outlook for Small Business
• May 13 - Organization and Productivity
• May 14; 21; 28 - QuickBooks Series
• May 19 - Marketing Your Key to Success
• May 21 - Starting Your Business
• May 22 - Legalities of Owning or Buying a Business

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