The state Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) has announced awards of nearly $8 million to 10 different not-for-profit organizations.

The grants will establish these organizations as Regional Technology Development Centers (RTDCs) for up to five years. These centers are charged with giving New York's small and medium-sized manufacturing and technology-driven businesses advice and direct services designed to enhance these firm's competitiveness.

These grants represent initial funding to support RTDC activities through June 30, 2002. Subsequent funding will be made on an annual basis. One grant was made in each of the state's 10 economic development regions.

The following grants were awarded:

• The Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology (AM&T) of Binghamton: $546,000 (RTDC for the Southern Tier).
• The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) of Albany: $579,000 (Capital Region).
• The Central New York Technology Development Organization (CNYTDO) of Syracuse: $560,000 (Central New York).
• The Council for International Trade, Technology, Education and Communication (CITEC) of Potsdam: $409,000 (North Country region).
• The High Technology of Rochester:$831,000 (Finger Lakes region).
• The Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC) of Fishkill: $759,000 (mid-Hudson region).
• The Industrial and Technology Assistance Center (ITAC) of New York City: $1,912,000 (New York City)
• The Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) of Farmingdale: $1 million (Long Island).
• The Mohawk Valley Applied Technology Corporation (MVATC) of Utica: $484,000 (Mohawk Valley region).
• The Western New York Technology Development Center (WNYTDC) of Amherst: $866,000 (western New York).
  

Each RTDC received a base award of $300,000, plus an additional allocation based on the percentage of manufacturing and research and development individuals employed at small- and medium-sized companies in the region.

The RTDC program is an integrated service delivery program that draws on three related programs: the Technology Development Organization program; the Industrial Technology Extension Service program; and the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.

RTDCs help companies improve productivity and quality. They also assist in strategic planning, securing financing, addressing intellectual property issues, and establishing links with universities and other research facilities to help these companies integrate new technologies into their operations.

NYSTAR administers several programs that focus on research, technology transfer, commercialization and support of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and technology-based companies, businesses that drive economic growth in New York State. The goal of these programs is to create high-quality jobs through the introduction of new research, companies, products and processes.

For information on the individual RTDCs, visit http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/links.htm#rtdc.