EngenuitySC Announces City of Columbia's Only Incubator Space for Fuel Cell Innovation
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June 15, 2006
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EngenuitySC announces City of Columbia's only incubator space for fuel cell innovation
Wet Lab Project Launches Significant Development in Future Fuel Evolution
from Research to Reality
COLUMBIA, SC – As the driving force behind the development of the “knowledge economy” for Richland and Lexington Counties, EngenuitySC announced today the funding for the area’s first wet-lab incubator space for fuel cell innovation. Wet lab space is unique in that it consists of a highly specialized hood and ventilation system essential to fuel cell research, as well as other developing companies with similar research needs. Larry Wilson, member of the EngenuitySC Executive Committee, announced the project today as he briefed business leaders on the status of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell strategic plan at the Chamber’s Intra-Regional Visit. “We are building the world’s first, planned end-to-end fuel cell district in the heart of Columbia. Incubator space within Innovista will enable us to attract the best and brightest in the fuel cell world to build their businesses in Columbia.”
With a $400,000 grant secured by EngenuitySC, the state-of-the-art, world-class facilities will serve as an integral tool in recruiting and retaining Future Fuel oriented companies to the Midlands area. The facilities present the opportunity to generate market start-ups by providing the next step in product development - building upon the University of South Carolina’s established core competencies in these fields of research.
“We would like to acknowledge the support we have received from our entire federal delegation, but in particular we would like to acknowledge the assistance of former Senator Hollings in securing this particular grant and Congressman Clyburn for continuing his work in securing additional funding for future programs,” said Columbia City Mayor Bob Coble. “We could not have achieved this success without their help.” The incubator space will be located in the USC Future Fuels Building at the new Horizon Center – a public private partnership situated in the heart of Innovista. The unique location of the lab space within the center will situate research and incubator facilities directly across the street from the fuel cell companies.
Executive Director of EngenuitySC, Neil McLean, notes that, “this project’s public-private partnership, consisting of USC, the City of Columbia and the private sector, provides the leadership to enable infrastructure – giving Columbia the competitive edge in attaining our goal for building a thriving fuel cell cluster in the region.”
About EngenuitySC -- EngenuitySC is a non-profit economic development leadership council with a mission to coordinate actions that generate the creation and growth of knowledge based companies in Richland and Lexington Counties. Its primary goals are building ties between the University of South Carolina's research activities and the local business community, developing sources of venture capital for local entrepreneurs, and taking actions to create a business environment that supports entrepreneurial ventures. For more information, please visit www.engenuitysc.com.
About The Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge -- USC, the City of Columbia, SCRA and EngenuitySC have organized the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge to collaborate with private sector leaders from all areas of the fuel cell market for the unprecedented deployment of fuel cell and alternative energy technologies into multiple city, university and public applications in Columbia. With one of the nation’s top fuel cell research programs located at USC and several other alternative fuel cell projects around the state, the region is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in the development of the next energy economy. For more information, please visit www.fuelcellchallenge.com.