STAR Center awarded EDA grant to support materials, life sciences

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
December 4, 2013

Texas State University's STAR Center for Materials and Life Sciences has been awarded $300,000 by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced grant Nov. 27 as part of the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) $2.4 million in grants to support economic development projects in Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas. The projects are expected bolster job creation and spur stable and sustainable economies, according to grantee estimates.

“The Obama administration is committed to investing in higher education and fostering innovation,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grants announced today support regional economic competitiveness and job creation in Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas.”

The $300,000 designated to Texas State will work to strengthen materials and life sciences clusters by expanding capacity for industry interaction at the university, creating critical support services to grow an effective innovation environment, increasing support for student entrepreneurship activities, increasing participation in programs by underserved populations and increasing awareness of programs to support startup/early stage companies to the Austin region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.