TechHelp seeks modest ongoing support for Studio Blue director as program shifts from federal grants

Kevin Campbell presented the TechHelp budget, which is housed at Boise State University and supports small and medium manufacturing firms. TechHelp’s appropriated FTP is 3.44. Executive Director Brad McDonald said TechHelp works statewide in partnership with Idaho State University and University of Idaho and with the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance.

TechHelp asked for modest ongoing support for the Studio Blue director position after a principal federal grant that partly funded the role expired. McDonald said Studio Blue provides hands‑on experience for students and delivers product design, prototyping, testing and launch assistance to manufacturers. He said TechHelp measures performance using the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership impact metrics — including new and retained jobs, client sales and investment, cost savings, and net promoter scores — and that an independent third party conducts regular post‑project surveys.

Committee members questioned why TechHelp requested $5,000 in additional personnel funding in the current request and pressed whether the director position could be covered by an existing vacant FTP. McDonald said the $5,000 represents the amount they could ask for this year under current constraints and that the organization is cobbling together grant, client revenue and state appropriation layers to sustain Studio Blue activity. He said a fully funded, predictable state appropriation would allow TechHelp to scale student participation and client impact.

Why it matters: TechHelp provides technical assistance and workforce experience to Idaho manufacturers; the committee sought metrics and asked TechHelp to provide its impact reports and quarterly performance data.

Ending: TechHelp agreed to provide the committee with its impact metrics report and additional detail on the Studio Blue funding model.