2017 Issue

74 U STAR funds technology-based economic develop- ment in Utah through its Incubation Enterprise and competitive grant programs which are available to Utah technology entrepreneurs and companies. As Utah’s technology catalyst, USTAR (Utah Science Technology and Research) has a portfolio of offerings for companies, entrepreneurs and researchers across the state focused on the development and commercialization USTAR: Technology-Based Economic Development In Utah By Ivy Estabrooke, PhD of technology. For the engineering community, the new USTAR Innovation Center, just outside the west gates of Hill Air Force Base in Clearfield, and the Technology Accelera- tion Program (TAP), a competitive grant program for start- ups and small businesses, are of particular importance. USTAR Innovation Center The USTAR Innovation Center, located in the Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park development, provides access to hi-tech equipment, conference and office space, proximity to strategic partners, and mentoring opportuni- ties for startups and growing high-tech companies in the aerospace, advanced materials, composites and outdoor product sectors. In early March, USTAR participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the first building out- side the base being developed as part of a public-private partnership by the Air Force and Sunset Ridge Develop- ment Partners. USTAR will be the anchor tenant in this new construction. The Innovation Center is currently housed in temporary space nearby with the new space expected to be completed later this year. The completed center will include more than 20,000 square feet of office and lab space, conference rooms, and dedi- cated space for manufacturing, research and development projects. The temporary location is currently open to entrepreneurs who need to lease space or utilize