Bill to help Purdue graduates

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

A bill that has been proposed to the House of Representatives would increase high-tech businesses across the state, creating more opportunities for Purdue graduates to remain in Indiana for employment.

It includes several components that would allow for the expansion of economic and high-tech development across Indiana.

"The bill has three components," said Don Gentry, dean of the School of Technology.

"The first would expand the regional tech centers and build small business developments," he said. The centers would be located in five areas across the state in cooperation with small cities.

"Purdue would provide technical support to those communities, much like here," said Gentry.

Gentry said that 18 communities have visited Purdue's Research Park to observe the nature of its success.

The second component of the bill would expand Purdue's Technical Assistance Program. This component's purpose is to support the manufacturing industry in Indiana.

"The third component of the bill would add staff support and assistance with rural economic development," said Gentry.

There are obstacles that face the passage of the bill. Because of these, funding has been removed from the bill until further progress can be made.

"Funding depends on the extent to which it's (the bill) given priority by members of the legislation," said Purdue President Martin Jischke. "It also depends on the availability of funds in this soft economy."

Although the bill faces obstacles, the president of Purdue's Research Foundation is optimistic and would like to see Purdue graduates reap the benefits of the bill's initiatives.

"Because there would be tech centers I believe there would be more opportunities for Purdue graduates here in Indiana," said Jischke.

"The bill would create high-skilled, high-wage kinds of jobs that may attract more graduates to stay and work in Indiana," said Gentry.

"I know the incubator here and the processes that we've put in place here are working very well," said Greg Deason, associate director of real estate for the foundation. "It would be fantastic if it could be replicated across the state."

Jischke said that he feels that this bill is an important tool for the university to contribute to the economic state of Indiana as well.

Bill to help Purdue graduates

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City editor:
Heather Mangold

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