The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) today announced grantees for the Advanced Industry Accelerator Infrastructure Funding Grant Program. A total of $918,000 will be awarded for the Commercial Infrastructure Funding Grants to support Colorado’s advanced industries.
Infrastructure Funding Grantees:
Advanced Industry Infrastructure Funding Grants provide state funding to collaborative projects that will have a broad, industry-wide impact across one or more of Colorado’s Advanced Industries.
• Colorado Bioscience Institute – $50,000
• Colorado Mesa University – $250,000
• Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners – $250,000
• Emily Griffith Technical College – $68,000
• Special Aerospace Services – $250,000
• Tinkermill – $50,000
Colorado Bioscience Institute: Expand their Research Experience for Teachers (RET) and Executive Leadership Program (ELP).
Colorado Mesa University: Support development by providing technology and equipment for the new Maverick Innovation Center housed at Colorado Mesa University.
Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners: Build a technology transfer and commercialization network in Colorado Springs.
Emily Griffith Technical College: Improve and grow their Manufacturing Production Technician certificate program by expanding practical skills training and industry involvement.
Special Aerospace Services: In a partnership with University of Colorado and Metro State University, develop an Advanced Propulsion Research and Apprenticeship Program.
Tinkermill: Expand the Advanced Prototype Manufacturing Facility, develop the Gigabit Information Technology Center infrastructure, and provide initial staffing and program needs for the two facilities.
Applications are reviewed by committees that consist of external industry stakeholders. Final recommendations are reviewed and approved by the strategic oversight board, with guidance from the state Economic Development Commission.
The next application cycle for Infrastructure Funding Grants will open this summer. Applications will be due September 25, 2015.
The Advanced Industry Accelerator Programs (AIA) were created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early stage capital and creating a strong infrastructure that increases the state’s capacity to be globally competitive. AIA encompasses three distinct grant programs: Proof of Concept, Early Stage Capital and Retention, and Commercialization Infrastructure.