[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 107 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2009

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the policies and 
standards put forth by the House Appropriations Committee and the GOP 
Leadership, I submit a list of the congressionally-directed projects I 
have requested in my home state of Idaho that are contained in the 
report of H.R. 3170, the FY2010 Financial Services and General 
Government Appropriations Bill.
  Project Name: Proof of Concept Center
  Amount Received: $285,000
  Account: Small Business Administration Salaries and Expenses
  Recipient: Idaho TechConnect Inc.
  Recipient's Street Address: 5465 E. Terra Linda Way, Nampa, ID 83687
  Description: Idaho TechConnect was created as a statewide private-
public cooperation that would bridge the gaps in the state's innovation 
pipeline. The Idaho TechConnect Proof of Concept Center will manage 
innovations from early stage projects to the launch of a viable start-
up business or to license the product or service to an existing 
business. The Proof of Concept Center will work with new and existing 
businesses as well as the state's colleges and universities and the INL 
to create new commercial products, goods and services. Concepts will be 
vetted to ensure significant and efficient marketability and 
commercialization. These concepts will then be relegated to teams/
existing businesses to build or expand successful and profitable 
businesses. The Center will provide assistance with business models, 
intellectual property strategy, and access to capital, resulting in 
more ideas becoming products, creating jobs and companies. During these 
challenging economic times, this funding will assist businesses and 
public entities in their efforts to mature their innovative ideas into 
market-ready products and services to strengthen the economy of Idaho 
and the region.
  Project Name: Research and Economic Development and Entrepreneurial 
Initiative
  Amount Received: $400,000
  Account: Small Business Administration Salaries and Expenses
  Recipient: Boise State University
  Recipient's Street Address: 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-
1135.
  Description: Boise State University will establish research 
partnerships with business and governmental agencies to aid and assist 
businesses in an effort to preserve free market enterprise and to 
maintain and strengthen the local and regional economy. The federal 
funds being requested will be used to match private and public sector 
dollars and in-kind contributions to conduct collaborative research 
that spurs intellectual innovation, creates jobs, and ultimately leads 
to the benefit and growth of the business community. The funds will 
also be used to develop the necessary infrastructure to mine, protect, 
and assess the commercialization potential of the intellectual property 
that is developed as a result of these efforts. A healthy business 
climate is critical to the economic strength of the state of Idaho, the 
region and the nation. The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that 
originates from this sector will help the United States compete in 
today's global marketplace.
  I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally-
directed projects in the report accompanying the FY2010 Financial 
Services and General Government Appropriations bill on behalf of Idaho 
and provide an explanation of my support for them.

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