USTAR Outreach Centers Revealed

By Greg Lavine, The Salt Lake Tribune

Jan. 11–As the Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative continues to develop, organizers have determined locations for four of five planned technology outreach centers.

Edward McAleer, executive director of USTAR, updated legislators today during a meeting of the Legislature’s Economic Development and Revenue Appropriations Subcommittee.

He said centers will be in Ogden at Weber State University; Salt Lake City at Salt Lake Community College; Orem at Utah Valley State College; and Vernal at Utah State University’s Uintah Basin campus.

USTAR officials still are determining a southern Utah location, which will likely be at either Southern Utah University in Cedar City or Dixie State College in St. George.

Sen. Bill Hickman, R- St. George, said USTAR officials should place the center where it will best be used, not based on political pressures from local lawmakers.

McAleer said these outreach centers will help bring new technology from research universities to existing businesses. The centers also will approach businesses that may be interested in sponsoring research for specific purposes.

State lawmakers last year provided $65 million toward USTAR’s operations and approved $110 million in bonds for building research facilities. USTAR is recruiting new faculty members to the University of Utah and Utah State University to produce technology that could be commercialized.

Economic development officials hope the incoming researchers will create spin-off companies that will provide high-paying jobs to Utahns.

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