At its quarterly meeting this week, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority announced that several universities and Keystone Zones will receive state money to help foster the growth of green technologies. Absent in the latest round, however, were any local businesses, though Chester did get some cash thrown its way for its Keystone Innovation Zone.
Now, to be fair, the Southeastern branch of Ben Franklin Technology Partners certainly has shelled out some cash in the past. However, being the Philly cheerleaders we are, its hard not to be disappointed.
In addition to allocating some money for green initiatives, each branch of the four regional branches of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners also discussed where to place the money received from the Alternative Energy Investment Fund.
According to Governor Rendell, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority has invested $4 billion since 2003 and has created 27,000 jobs.
Read the full list of recent investments after the jump.
The investments were broken into two categories: university research projects and Keystone Innovation Zone funding.
Research projects
- Lehigh University, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, received $900,000 to develop nanotechnology materials.
- The Pittsburgh-based Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center received $500,000 to help grow new and existing energy companies and research projects.
- The bane of every Temple student’s existence, Penn State, received $850,000 for its Institute for Energy and Environment Faculty Recruitment program.
Keystone Innovation Zone
- Pittsburgh Central Keystone Innovation Zone received $125,000.
- York Keystone Innovation Zone received $125,000.
- Pittsburgh Central Keystone Innovation Zone received $177,975.
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