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TechHelp at Boise State seeks small increase to stabilize Studio Blue director role after federal grant decline
Summary
TechHelp (Boise State University) asked lawmakers for a small FY2026 personnel enhancement tied to Studio Blue’s director position after federal grant funding declined; directors described impact metrics and statewide manufacturer assistance.
Kevin Campbell, Legislative Services analyst, presented TechHelp’s budget and said TechHelp is housed at Boise State University with 3.44 authorized FTP and that most TechHelp spending is personnel-driven. Campbell said TechHelp’s appropriation has been stable except for COVID grants in 2021–22 and that Studio Blue is the unit supporting new product development and student work placements.
Brad McDonald, TechHelp executive director, told the committee Studio Blue supports small and medium-sized manufacturers statewide and measures impact through a set of national “impact metrics” such as new and retained jobs, sales, cost savings, investments, and client counts. McDonald said the program’s client surveys are handled by an independent third party and that recent quarterly reports show strong net-promoter scores.
TechHelp requested a modest FY2026 enhancement ($5,000 in personnel in the budget materials provided) to help stabilize a Studio Blue center-director position after a principal federal grant that had supported the position expired in September 2024. McDonald said the Studio Blue director role is partially grant-funded historically and the agency is seeking state funding to provide predictability while continuing to pursue grants and client revenue.
Committee members asked for impact metrics and quarterly reports; McDonald said he would provide the standardized impact metrics and the most recent quarterly report. Lawmakers discussed the state appropriation’s leverage as match for grant funds and the role TechHelp plays in workforce development for manufacturers.
No committee vote was recorded during the presentation; TechHelp staff said they will forward impact metrics to the committee for review.
