MDA AWARDS MORE THAN $560,000 TO 13 BUSINESSES

THIRD-ROUND APPLICATION DEADLINE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2006

The Metropolitan Development Association has announced a third round application deadline for its Grants for Growth program of 5 p.m. EDT on September 15, 2006. Grants for Growth (GFG) is a unique seed program that offers matching funds – up to $50,000 – for innovative and economically beneficial partnerships between university and industry in Central Upstate New York. By seeding applied research relationships between university and industry, the program seeks to increase innovation and technology commercialization within the Central Upstate regional economy.

To date, GFG has awarded more than $560,000 to 13 firms. These projects have leveraged more than $872,000 in private sector and university matching support, and offer the potential to create more than 267 new high-value jobs and nearly $45 million in new revenue.

Companies interested in applying or learning more should contact Ben Walsh at brwalsh@mda-cny.com or visit www.essentialconnections.org/gfg for complete program guidelines and eligibility criteria.