(Tucson, Arizona) On Wednesday, July 28, 2010, Governor Jan Brewer announced a $1.5 million grant for the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI), a technology business incubator located at the UA Tech Park.

The grant will provide funding for AzCI to purchase laboratory equipment, establish a “Mentor in Residence Program” and develop a commercialization training program that can be implemented state-wide. The grant is funded from federal stimulus dollars.

“This grant is a wonderful way to emphasize the importance of developing a technology based economy in our state by growing our own technology companies. We have the ‘idea’ assets with our universities and several strong industries, but need to develop a stronger infrastructure that supports the entrepreneur,” says Governor Brewer.  “Today, I am building on my vision for the new Arizona Commerce Authority – expanding the toolbox to help Arizona entrepreneurs, grow Arizona businesses, and create more jobs for Arizonans.”

The Arizona Center for Innovation provides structured business development for new technology companies. It works with University of Arizona students, faculty and staff in moving technology through the commercialization process to create new companies in Southern Arizona as well as entrepreneurs from the community. Founded in 2003, AzCI has assisted over 36 technology companies in the region.

“The Arizona Center for Innovation is pleased with the announcement of this grant as it will provide the funding to allow us to further develop programs to assist technology entrepreneurs in Southern Arizona and throughout the state,” says Bruce Wright, president of AzCI. “We have identified several needs where we could significantly enhance our programs and services for our clients, but were limited as a non-profit by a lack of funding and resources. This is a significant step in building the ‘Entrepreneurial Ecosystem’ in Southern Arizona and throughout the state of Arizona.”

The Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) is a non-profit, high tech business incubator located at the UA Science and Technology Park. The incubator promotes the development of high technology companies in Southern Arizona through a disciplined program of business development. Interested companies should contact the Center at 520.382.3260 or visit our website at www.azinnovation.com

Office of University Research Parks (OURP) plays a significant role in economic development with a focused approach on utilizing research parks and business incubators as technology development and commercialization tools.  OURP accomplishes this by creating environments that support and promote research, education, technology innovation and commercialization, and high technology business development and attraction.  OURP oversees the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park (UA Tech Park), Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI), and the Arizona Bioscience Park (UA Bio Park).

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and its private-sector leadership board position Arizona to be more responsive to business needs and opportunities.  Governor Brewer will serve as chair of the board and will be joined by a prestigious and powerful mix of Arizona’s business leaders, all of whom are committed to securing a more complete global competitiveness strategy to advance Arizona’s economy and create quality jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping businesses in targeted, high growth, base industries.