WHO:
- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th), Senior Member of the House Science and Technology Committee
- Matt Summy, President, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition
- Sandra Geib, U.S. Department of Energy
- Steve Ban, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, Argonne National Laboratory
- Neil Kane, President, Advanced Diamond Technologies
- K’Lynne Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Elevance Renewable Sciences
- Local small business leaders specializing in high-tech products and services
 
WHAT:
U.S. Representative Judy Biggert will join local business leaders and representatives from the Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory to discuss the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program, which helps small businesses develop and commercialize innovative technologies.  Biggert and other participants will discuss the program, explain how local businesses can take advantage of it, and share stories from those who have successfully used SBIR support to expand their businesses and create jobs.  Participants also will discuss upcoming legislation Biggert is cosponsoring in the House, H.R. 2965, to reauthorize and improve the program.
 
WHEN:
Thursday, August 27, 2009
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
 
WHERE:
Lewis University, Faculty Dining Room, Building 13
1 University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
 
WHY:
The SBIR program provides crucial support to innovative small businesses working to commercialize new technologies, create jobs, and drive economic growth.  The program provides small businesses access to federal research and development funding grants, allowing firms that develop new technologies to bring them out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.  At Thursday’s event, local technology experts will discuss how Chicago-area small businesses can benefit from the program, as well as offer insight into SBIR-related legislation.  A bill Biggert has cosponsored to reauthorize and improve the program, H.R. 2965, passed the House in July.  Following negotiations with the Senate, it is expected to return to the floor for a vote next month.
 
Media are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Zachary Cikanek at (202) 225-3515.
 

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