TechHelp presents Studio Blue work, requests small ongoing funding to sustain director role

Boise State University’s TechHelp presented to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on its work supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers statewide and requested modest additional funding to support the Studio Blue director position.

Analyst Kevin Campbell said TechHelp is housed at Boise State and provides design, prototyping, testing and manufacturing assistance. The program’s spending is almost entirely personnel. TechHelp has had federal COVID-era grants in prior years that increased appropriations temporarily; its base appropriation is near $450,000.

Director Brad McDonald described Studio Blue as the new-product-development arm that engages students and industry partners. He said TechHelp tracks standardized “impact metrics” used by the national manufacturing extension network — including new and retained jobs, sales, cost savings, investments, number of clients served and gross revenue tied to projects. McDonald said recent quarterly reports show the program is performing well compared with prior quarters.

TechHelp requested 0.03 FTP (about $5,000) for FY2026 to continue partial funding for the Studio Blue director position; McDonald said the role has been partially grant-funded and the modest state request is to make up for declining grant support. Committee members asked for the program’s impact metrics and McDonald agreed to provide quarter-by-quarter impact data. He emphasized workforce benefits: students gain practical experience and manufacturers receive consulting and technical assistance that TechHelp measures against national benchmarks.

Committee members pressed on whether the $5,000 request was sufficient and whether the position should be full-time and state-funded for predictability. McDonald said a fully funded, full-time position would be the ideal outcome to ensure consistent student opportunities and client support.