UW-Parkside/CATI Share Economic Development Honor

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside School of Business and Technology and the Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI) were jointly honored during a conference in Phoenix. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the university and its Sturtevant-based partner for technology-based economic development. IEDC called UW-Parkside/CATI a "clear standout" among organizations serving population centers between 50,000 and 200,000 for its development of Technical Assistance. Technical Assistance is described as a holistic technology-based economic development strategy to identify and meet the technology needs of small and mid-sized manufacturers in southeastern Wisconsin.

"To create more value-added services for entrepreneurs and existing Racine and Kenosha county companies, two years ago we linked the UW-Parkside Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and innovation components of CATI to form a specialty center within the SBDC," said CATI/SBDC Director Matt Wagner. "Technical Assistance was established to work with small and mid-sized manufacturers who desire to explore areas of new product development or opportunities to move their existing products into higher margin markets."
Wagner cited Vista International Packaging as an example of what UW-Parkside and CATI's Technical Assistance initiative does for area companies.

"Vista International Packaging was searching for an outside resource, a 'think tank,' for innovation and development of a technology strategy to accelerate the process on new product introduction," said Vista President David Hagman. "[UW-Parkside and] CATI came to the rescue. [Our] relationship...has evolved into a strategic partnership that will flesh out new market opportunities in food packaging."

Technical Assistance leverages faculty and students, along with leaders in large corporate R&D divisions to assess a small or mid-sized business' technology needs and either develop or acquire the appropriate technology or solution. The award, in the words of IEDC Chairman Ronnie L. Bryant, "serves as a salute to pacesetting organizations like UW-Parkside/CATI for leading the charge.""

UW-ParksideSchool of Business & Technology Dean Fred Ebeid said, "We are very pleased and proud to receive this joint award from IEDC. It is a tribute to the excellent work of Matt Wagner and his staff at the SBDCSpecialty Center. Under Matt's leadership the Specialty Center has gained prominence by helping companies in the region identify and pursue opportunities that enhance profitability or lead to sustainable growth.

"For more information about Technical Assistance and the UW-Parkside/CATI partnership, call Wagner at 262-898-7512. .