Business log: Greater Reading zone awarded $50,000

Article by The Reading Eagle on January 18, 2011

The Greater Reading Keystone Innovation Zone has been awarded $50,000.

Funding is provided by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to help start-up companies succeed and equip Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities with the resources to commercialize new technologies.

The KIZ, which operates under the auspices of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is partnering with Innovation Transfer Network to identify faculty expertise, promote collaboration and connect with the Reading business community. Faculty, students and administrators at Albright College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks and Reading Area Community College will participate in the project.

Developing services and technologies, providing real-world experience for students and applying faculty expertise to solve business issues are a few of the ideas planned.

“When I discovered the good work that ITN was accomplishing with 12 neighboring academic institutions, I knew that we needed to replicate their efforts here in Berks County,” said KIZ coordinator Jennifer Leinbach. “By contracting with ITN, we combined the GRKIZ community contacts with ITN’s experience leading academic and private sector projects, to maximize our potential. It is working out very well for everyone involved.”

The grant will support a series of industry forums, faculty research forums and a limited number of seed assistance grants as part of the KIZ and ITN partnership.

Business log: Greater Reading zone awarded $50,000

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Bryan E. Cole