EngenuitySC Announced Progress Report at Engenuity'04

Mayor Bob Coble and Dr. Andrew Sorensen kicked off Engenuity'04 today by discussing the Columbia region's many successes during the past 18 months. The conference, which is also the annual meeting of EngenuitySC, is in session at the State Museum in Columbia, SC, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. today. Nearly 200 people registered to attend the conference. For more information on EngenuitySC visit http://www.engenuitysc.com.

Columbia, SC (PRWEB) August 28, 2004 -- Mayor Bob Coble and Dr. Andrew Sorensen kicked off Engenuity'04 today by discussing the Columbia region's many successes during the past 18 months. The conference, which is also the annual meeting of EngenuitySC, is in session at the State Museum in Columbia, SC, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. today. Nearly 200 people registered to attend the conference. For more information on EngenuitySC visit http://www.engenuitysc.com.

Mayor Coble addressed the audience by saying, "I want to give a progress report since our last Technology Summit. On February 4 of last year, we presented our technology-strategic plan. We set specific six-month goals to be accomplished by September 1. We heard Dr. Sorensen outline a 10-year plan for the USC Research Campus, and Dr. Harris Pastides unveiled specific research areas for the University of South Carolina. We left the State Fairgrounds that day with a sense of purpose and determination; however, many times in the Midlands, we have left meetings with plans, dreams, and opportunities that have slipped through our hands."

Coble continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to tell you 'not this time!' Our progress in the last eighteen months has exceeded the promise and hope of that winter day. All of our six-month goals were achieved."

Mayor Coble shared with the audience a progress report for the past 18 months. He reviewed the most important accomplishments of the past year:
· EngenuitySC was introduced. Engenuity is the coordinating council selected to lead the Columbia region's charge into the knowledge-based economy, in partnership with other organizations. The council includes a 12-member executive committee and over 50 board of trustees
· The EngenuitySC website http://www.engenuitysc.com was launched
· Over 50 business, education and political leaders visited Georgia Tech's top-ranked business incubator with a goal of emulating the best practices in the Columbia region
· The EngenuitySC team has created and is promoting the concept of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, providing a holistic view of key elements required to create and sustain high impact, high wage companies in the region
· The USC Research Campus is underway
· The USC BusinessLinks and Columbia's Office of Economic Development are now in the same office. This is another example of tangible progress in expanding the strategic partnership between the University of South Carolina and the City of Columbia
· The City's 1225 Laurel Street administrative office building will be the site of the new technology incubator
· The City of Columbia has partnered with The Trelys Funds to address the capital needs of start-up technology companies. Unitrends, a leading developer of data protection products and services, is the first success of this partnership
· Midlands Technical College announced its Enterprise Campus, designed to support the space and training needs of early stage companies

Mayor Coble continued, "Our goals are many but let me concentrate on the critical ones."
· EngenuitySC will launch a regional Entrepreneurial Education initiative with a goal of participation from USC, Columbia College, Benedict College, Midlands Tech, Allen University and local school districts
· FastTrac, aimed at assisting the aspiring entrepreneur with determining the feasibility of their business ideas, will launch this fall
· VentureLabSC, which will focus on creating new companies out of research being conducted in the Columbia region, will be launched this year
· EngenuitySC will create a pro bono Professional Services Network that will connect early state entrepreneurs to top attorneys, marketers, and accountants in the Columbia region

In Coble's closing remarks he said, "We must market Columbia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Secondly, we must vigorously support Dr. Sorensen and the University in building the USC Research Campus. We must be willing to work to insure that the zoning and infrastructure are in place. Thirdly, we must make progress in entering the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells are an emerging new technology that can literally reinvent Columbia's economy. Hydrogen fuel cell research can do for the University of South Carolina and Columbia what semiconductor research did for the University of Texas and Austin over the past two decades when that City saw explosive growth driven by a new technology."

Coble ended with, "Our economic strategy has many components including our regional cluster analysis, the Convention Center, Colonial Center, and the revitalization of our City Center. No effort is more important than making the Columbia Riverbanks Region a center for technology and innovation."

Following the introduction, key business leaders and research scientists participated in various panel discussions. Keynote speaker Walter Alessandrini, CEO of Avanex, ended the conference with an inspirational presentation on his entrepreneurial story.

Media Contact:   
Lorri-Ann Carter
CarterTodd & Associates, Inc.
803.779.4005
la@cartertodd.com
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