First long-term reauthorization in 10 years will support Nevada’s small businesses

January 10, 2012

Washington D.C.- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today praised the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The reauthorization of these programs was passed in December as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. These highly-successful research and development grant programs will help small businesses in Nevada grow, innovate and enable Nevadans to get back to work.  SBIR and STTR were reauthorized for six years, marking the first long-term reauthorization of the programs since 2001.

 “Small businesses throughout Nevada have benefited from these programs for decades," said Reid. "These resources will help boost Nevada’s high-tech industry to develop practical products and services and put Nevadans back to work on the next big innovation.”

 Last spring, Reid worked towards long-term reauthorization of the programs, but Republicans obstructed. Reid continues to support these programs because they have a proven track record of providing small businesses with the resources to remain on the cutting edge of technology.

TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS IN NEVADA

Over the last three decades, Nevada has received more than $76 million in SBIR and STTR grants -- 224 awards with an average of $341,549 per award -- placing Nevada seventh among all states in dollars-per-award average and well above the national average of $316,341 per award per state.

In March 2011, for example, Reno-based Load IQ was awarded a $500,000 grant through these programs to develop a cutting-edge smart meter that will help Nevadans lower their energy bills.  This company started as ground breaking research at UNR and expanded into a job creator for northern Nevada.

The following are other companies in Nevada that have used funds from the SBIR and STTR programs to hire, expand and innovate.

Southern Nevada:

    * K-2 Energy Solutions, based in Henderson
    * Rocky Research, based in Boulder City
    * Theis Technology, based in Henderson

 Northern Nevada

    * Load IQ, based in Reno
    * Washoe Sleep Disorder Clinic, based in Reno
    * OptiComp, based in Zephyr Cove
    * Advance Materials and Devices Inc., based in Reno
    * Digital Solid State Propulsion LLC, based in Reno
    * GS Engineering Inc., based in Incline Village
    * Multi Phase Technologies, based in Sparks
    * Altairnano Inc., based in Reno
    * Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc., based in Reno
    * Intelligent Building Utility Conservation Systems, based in Reno

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