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OEA funds Southern Maryland technology commercialization pilot; St. Mary's part of 18-month regional project
Summary
The Office of Economic Adjustment awarded a regional grant of about $1.9 million that will fund an 18-month Southern Maryland Technology Commercialization Pilot, with under $1 million earmarked for the Southern Maryland regional pilot that includes St. Mary's County; DBED will oversee funding and local staff will manage implementation.
The Office of Economic Adjustment has fully funded a Southern Maryland Technology Commercialization initiative, a consultant told the St. Mary—s County Economic Development Commission at its Oct. 15, 2014 meeting. The grant totals about $1.9 million, with just under $1 million dedicated to a regional pilot serving Charles, Calvert and St. Mary—s counties, the presenter said.
The project is slated to run roughly 18 months and aims to identify potentially commercializable technologies at local naval and research installations, help researchers and inventors take ideas to the next stage of exploration, and "brand" the region to attract technology investment and businesses, the consultant said. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development will oversee the grant, and the Tri-County Council office will house staff hired to manage the pilot.
Consultants from Towson University and other teams will conduct patent and cluster analyses, assess impacts from federal spending reductions and sequestration, and examine local strengths and "hot spots" for new business growth. The consultant said the OEA reviewed and iterated the application with the project team rather than treating it as a routine competitive submission and indicated willingness to consider follow-on funding if the pilot produces a viable model.
Commissioners were told the pilot will collaborate with scientists at installations including the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and other regional research facilities to evaluate commercial potential and to address barriers to private-sector commercialization. The presenter characterized the region as "on the cusp" of becoming better known as a technology community but said branding and coordinated regional action are needed.
Next steps identified at the meeting included staffing the Tri-County Council office role, hiring consultants for discrete tasks, beginning field work and coordination with DBED, and offering a future presentation that links the Southern Maryland regional analysis to St. Mary's County—s broader economic development strategy.
The commission was invited to attend a county commissioners— proclamation recognizing the body at a meeting scheduled for Oct. 28; the presenter said he would keep the commission updated as the pilot work begins.
