Technology-based companies in Clark County will soon have a new resource to turn to for things like capital access and brand development.
Earlier this week, Governor Gregoire penned legislation establishing Innovate Washington, a technology-based economic development agency formed from the merger of Washington Technology Center (WTC) and SIRTI (formerly the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute).
The merger, which goes into effect August 1, creates a single organization that assists innovative companies statewide with their technology commercialization needs.
“This is a very exciting time,” said Steve Goll, director of communications at WTC. “Primarily because WTC didn’t have any overlapping capabilities [with SIRTI] so the two organizations coming together is a good compliment.”
What WTC brings to the Innovate Washington, Goll said, is experience getting companies help with securing research funds, innovation grants and loan programs. SIRTI, meanwhile, brings a client services-based model that features face to face time between experienced entrepreneurs and startups, he said.
Under the legislation, Innovate Washington must develop a strategic plan by December 2012 that lays out a plan to better serve Vancouver, the Tri-Cities and Bellingham.
“A few years ago, Washington Technology Center tried developing a project with WSU Vancouver, but it never moved forward due to budget and funding reasons,” said Chris Coleman, WTC’s executive director. “With this new organization and the time that has passed, it’s time to reengage with Clark County.”
Coleman said step one of that reengagement is to meet with city and county officials to determine the vision and direction the region is going in. That way, he said, Innovate Washington can learn how it can best fit in and support existing development services in the area.
“Proper engagement is definitely important when you look at unemployment and how high it has been in Clark County,” added Coleman.
In addition to installing a focused presence across the state, Innovate Washington will add a new industry cluster-based strategy, with an initial focus on coordinating Washington’s clean energy initiatives.
“We must recognize the race for the 21st century is on,” said Coleman. “It’s not going to start; it already has. Other states and other countries are more than willing to ensure that the graduates from our universities and the folks that start companies here move to Ohio, Tennessee or Texas. They’re more than happy to have that happen. We can do more… The kind of passive approach to economic development is not going to be as effective when you’ve got other people aggressively trying to secure the economic security of their citizens.”
