Genesis Seeks National Science Foundation Connection

Genesis Connections, a statewide economic program that’s still in the planning stage, will seek a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. It’s goal is to form an outreach network through an unprecedented collection of in-state partnerships to essentially create a statewide business and technology incubator.

The partners include the University of Arkansas, the Genesis Technology Incubator, Arkansas Capital Corp., the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, the UA Technology Logistics Institute and many others.

Collaborative support, including from the UA’s science and business faculty, will be electronically disseminated to developing businesses.

The ground-breaking effort is apparently being led by UA College of Engineering Dean Otto Loewer, the proposal application’s principal investigator

The NSF invited universities across the country to apply for 25 such three-year contracts that will promote economic development through technology. The proposal is due by May 7.

The companies will have to become Genesis clients, but they won’t have to locate at the Fayetteville incubator. Gov. Mike Huckabee has already given a behind-the-scenes nod to the effort, and the word is he will soon add his public support.