8-07-03
STATE CONTINUES FUNDING FOR E-BUSINESS
AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP IN NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA
The Center for e-Business and Advanced Information Technology (eBizITPA), located in Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie, will build on its first year of successful technology-focused economic development efforts thanks to continued funding approved recently by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA).
"We've been able to deliver on the commitments
we made to the Commonwealth when we received start-up funding last
year," said Susan Breon, president of the Center for e-Business and
Advanced Information Technology. "We've made initial positive steps to
help level the playing field for companies in northwest Pennsylvania
and throughout the Commonwealth that want to incorporate information
technology into their organizations. We appreciate the opportunity to
continue developing needed products and services."
Breon pointed to the early success of the center in transferring software technology for online quoting and bidding and reverse auctions, developing initial training courses, launching research projects, and creating its Web site, www.ebizitpa.org. Using the software available on its Web site, the Center has trained more than forty-five people and has conducted a number of successful online auctions. Fifteen apprentices have been placed in the Center's training program with GE Transportation Systems.
"After only six months of actual operations,
there are a half-dozen initiatives underway," said Breon. "We've also
begun a "business gap analysis" project to help prioritize our
activities and resources in what is clearly a huge arena."
EBizITPA builds opportunities for technology workers through a unique collaboration among the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, GE Transportation Systems, the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, and Penn State Erie. It has expanded its outreach to more than a half-dozen other institutions of higher education including Penn State Shenango and Penn State University Park.
"Through exposure to opportunities and
expertise in the latest information technology techniques, businesses
can get the help they need to enter the digital economy and better
compete," said Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Department of
Community and Economic Development, who announced the continuation of
funding for the Center. "As a result, northwest Pennsylvania can
develop into an area noted for information technology excellence."
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Contact:
Loretta Brandon
814-898-6063 (O)
E-mail: lzb6@psu.edu