[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S9610]]
               HONORING INTELLIGENT SPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES

 Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I wish to congratulate Intelligent 
Spatial Technologies, a company founded by a tremendously innovative 
young entrepreneur from my home State of Maine. Intelligent Spatial 
Technologies of Orono is a software and data company that was launched 
in 2003 by Christopher Frank.
  The successful operation of Intelligent Spatial Technologies is a 
beacon to all young entrepreneurs who dream of starting up their own 
business. Mr. Frank founded Intelligent Spatial Technologies while a 
student at my alma mater, the University of Maine at Orono. While 
there, he worked with an all-University of Maine alumni team to grow 
and develop an innovative idea he dreamed of to provide location-based 
information on-the-go. After graduating from the University of Maine, 
Mr. Frank applied to become a tenant in the Target Technology 
Incubator. Supported by the University of Maine, the Community College 
System, and the Maine Small Business Development Centers, the Incubator 
offers early-stage tech-based companies the training and tools 
necessary to make their ventures a success.
  With the help of Target Technology Incubator and over a million 
dollars in Federal and State research grants, Mr. Frank was able to 
realize his idea and transform it into a new, vibrant business in the 
State of Maine. Today, Intelligent Spatial Technologies is a leading 
developer in the fast-growing industry of location-based services, 
which is a particularly remarkable achievement when one considers that 
the current market value for GPS-related products is an estimated $12 
billion.
  Notably, Intelligent Spatial Technologies was able to successfully 
market its first product, the iPointer, to the University of Maine. The 
iPointer is an advanced device that empowers users to explore a defined 
area by pointing at landmarks and receiving feedback in the form of 
text and audio-visual images over a wireless Internet connection. The 
University of Maine used the product to provide prospective students 
with informative, custom tours to familiarize them with the university 
campus. The iPointer is the cornerstone of Intelligent Spatial 
Technologies and a unique contribution to location-based services 
industry. It is terrific to see that Mr. Frank wants to expand the use 
of his creative technology to more everyday uses, such as use with 
digital cameras, cellular phones, and hand-held computers.
  Before concluding, I would be remiss not to mention that Christopher 
Frank was named Maine's Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. 
Small Business Administration in 2006. His cutting-edge technology and 
stellar leadership is highly respected in the Bangor community. Not 
only does Mr. Frank show leadership as president and founder of 
Intelligent Spatial Technologies, but he also is a founder of FUSION 
Bangor, an organization which aims to engage young people in community 
leadership through forums, meetings, and similar events. Mr. Frank has 
shown that no matter what your age, you can have an impact on both the 
business community and the local community.
  The State of Maine is incredibly proud of Intelligent Spatial 
Technologies. To see a college student realize his business dream--
while still a student, no less--is always inspiring. I wish Christopher 
Frank and everyone at Intelligent Spatial Technologies continued 
success.

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