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Press Releases
September 26, 2011
U.S. EDA Investment Strengthens Economic Development Planning Capacity of Native American Tribes in California
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $200,000 grant to California State University (CSU), Chico Research Foundation, Chico, Calif., to help develop Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) for Native American Tribes in California.
“Native Americans have been among the hardest hit by these tough economic times,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. “This EDA grant will partner the Chico Research Foundation with California tribal communities to develop planning documents that are critical to getting the assistance they need to advance economic and job growth strategies.” The project will increase the capacity of rural and remote Native American Tribes throughout California to begin their own Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning via an on-line database. For the Tribes without Internet access, regular meetings and visits will facilitate the process.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.
October 5, 2010
CSU, Chico Center for Economic Development Team and Governor's Office of Economic Development Win Federal Technology Assistance Grant
The Center for Economic Development (CED) at the California State University, Chico Research Foundation announced today that it had been selected by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as the winner of the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program for the State of California. This contract, developed in conjunction with the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GoED), will provide resources to target technology-based women-owned businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and small firms that have historically not participated in the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Further, this effort will help develop the connection between the State's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC's) and California's Innovation Hubs (iHubs) designed to strengthen the collaboration and support networks of the State's entrepreneurs. The Federal funding made available by the FAST program will be used to build capacity within the iHubs and the SBDC offices by providing training in the areas of technology assistance and commercialization, supporting outreach initiatives and workshops for targeted technology firms and subsidizing the technology assistance and mentoring programs available through the iHubs.
Dan Ripke, the Director of the Center for Economic Development and the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center stated, "We are extremely pleased to be able to link California's SBDC program to the Governor's Office of Economic Development and its statewide innovation hub network to promote these kinds of grass roots technology-based job creation efforts."
Launched in March 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger's Innovation Hub Initiative provides a platform for research clusters, startup companies, government entities, business groups and venture capitalists by leveraging assets such as research parks, technology incubators, universities and federal laboratories to foster innovation and job creation statewide. Over the past six months, the group has grown to twelve including the North State iHub in Chico, the North Bay iHub in Rohnert Park, the Sacramento iHub, the Greater Mission Bay Area iHub in San Francisco, the i-GATE iHub in Livermore, the Green Corridor iHub in the East Bay, the Central San Joaquin Valley iHub in Fresno/Merced, the CleanTech Los Angeles iHub, the Coachella Valley iHub in Palm Springs, OCTANe iHub in Orange County and iHub San Diego.
"The twelve innovation hubs operating within various regions throughout the state will benefit from the additional funding," said Governor's Office of Economic Development Director Joel Ayala. "The partnership with CSU Chico and the California SBDC network gives us an opportunity to assist small businesses, commercialize new technologies, secure other funding and create jobs for Californians." Please visit www.cedcal.com or call (530) 898-4598 for additional information.
National Broadband Industry Expert to Assist CSU-Chico’s California Broadband Planning Project
Bringing an additional dimension of expertise to California’s broadband planning efforts, Oakland, CA-based industry analyst and strategy consultant Craig Settles teams with CSU-Chico to help create a blueprint for advancing broadband in the state. CSU-Chico has contracted with Craig Settles, President of Successful.com and Co-Director of Communities United for Broadband for his industry knowledge and skills in developing business strategies for community networks that improve local economies. Settles’ consultant role with CSU-Chico includes both high-level and in-depth critical analysis of data gathered by CSU-Chico on various communities’ projects, methods and initiatives that are facilitating broadband adoption throughout the state. Settles’ assistance will help CSU-Chico uncover and document trends, patterns, and best practices that can be used to further support the ongoing broadband adoption efforts throughout the state. Mr. Settles also will assist CSU-Chico in promoting this information to counties, cities and towns to aid in local broadband planning and adoption efforts. “We are very pleased to have Mr. Settles on our team for this broadband planning project,” comments Don Krysakowski, Assistant Director of the Center for Economic Development in the CSU, Chico Research Foundation. “Craig is one of the leading voices in the U.S. on executing effective broadband community and business strategies. Communities should benefit tremendously from the results of this project.” A nationally recognized expert in developing broadband business strategy, Settles has worked with several California cities to help them assess their broadband needs and develop plans for moving network projects forward. Settles also worked with CSU-Chico last summer conducting local north state workshops on developing strategies for broadband adoption. An accomplished author, his recent book, Fighting the Next Good Fight: Bringing True Broadband to Your Community, combined with his first book Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless, and numerous reports, have established Mr. Settles as a thought leader on broadband issues and policies.
Media
The Center for Economic Development (CED) is dedicated to providing critical information to community organizations, businesses, and community leaders. Working with the media is essential to delivering that information and data to the CED's audiences. This is why the CED goes to great lengths to build positive relationships with the media and provide them with news-worthy stories and research summaries.
Dan Ripke, Director
Telephone: (530)898-4598
Fax: (530)898-4734
E-mail: dripke@csuchico.edu