Manufacturing-Backed Bill Funds University R&D Programs

Published: June 29, 2007
Norm Eder, (503) 802-4101
Conkling Fiskum & McCormick
Portland, OR

The Oregon legislature today adjourned, after passing a bill backed by the Manufacturing 21 Coalition that expands research and development capacity at Portland State University.

Working with the newly created Oregon Innovation Council (InC) – part of the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department – MFG 21 developed a funding proposal in 2006 to expand university R&D capacity. The plan was included in Governor Ted Kulongoski’s proposed 2007-2009 budget. As a result, the 2007 Oregon legislature authorized almost $2.9 million for the following university-level research activities:

New faculty: Three new full-time faculty salaries for Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Portland State University;

Industrial-scale test and measurement equipment: New labs will feature a physical thermal mechanical simulation test system, a controlled atmosphere high temperature programmable furnace and an automated micro-hardness test system;
Oregon Metals Initiative: OMI blends industry contributions and state grants to fund R&D projects administered by the Oregon University System. MFG 21 secured additional resources for this innovative program, including a set-aside for small businesses that might not be able to afford the dollar-for-dollar match that it takes to leverage OMI resources; and
Steel Program: MFG 21 professionals are working with university scientists and industry engineers to design Oregon’s first steel and steel-fabrication program. Oregon and Southwest Washington are home to the largest concentration of steel bridge manufacturers in the United States. MFG 21 believes this represents a significant opportunity for the region’s economy as a result of collaboration between company engineers and academic scientists.