Talent and Innovation Initiative encourages business growth in Nebraska
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A new government initiative focuses on developing and attracting businesses rooted in technology and innovation, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Several programs that are designed to encourage business growth comprise the Talent and Innovation Initiative. In a weekly column, Gov. Dave Heineman wrote the initiative gives Nebraska one of the strongest public policy strategies in the nation to advance recruitment and development in businesses.
“The Talent and Innovation Initiative is about enhancing the level of business specialization and attracting new, advanced companies to Nebraska,” Heineman said.
The initiative was introduced to a group of Nebraska’s small businesses during a presentation at the Nebraska Technology Park on Nov. 3.
“These programs populate an empty space,” said Eric Zeece, business innovation manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
As part of the Talent and Innovation Initiative, the Business Innovation Act authorizes the distribution of up to $7 million in competitive grants for research, prototype development and product commercialization studies for small businesses, said the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
“One thing that’s unique about these programs is that Nebraska has never done anything like this before,” said Steve Frayser, president of the Nebraska Technology Park.