The major thrust of business development is to identify, evaluate, and pursue additional funding opportunities that leverage the capabilities and expertise of the universities and NETL to sustain and grow the Alliance.    Opportunities from these business development activities complement the base research program, but also provide the flexibility to expand into broader research areas and move toward a longer-term vision of transitioning to sustainable fuel sources.  The NETL-RUA obtains support for these efforts by drawing on the team’s collective relationships with regional industry, commercial, and community organizations. 

As the Alliance brings additional resources to the region, it creates expanded prospects for economic growth.  As an incubator for innovation and research and as a focal point for collaboration, the Alliance’s efforts provide the technology innovation and other building blocks necessary to create spin-off companies, including the human capital needed to produce and perform the jobs of the future.  Acting as a catalyst for innovation, a promoter of entrepreneurship, and an educator of an energy workforce, the NETL-RUA will further solidify this region as a preeminent source for solving the world’s energy challenges.