MELBOURNE, FL (April 27, 2009) — As the economy continues to drive individuals and business owners alike to look for new resources to help in reaching their goals, The Florida Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) will host an open house of its Business Innovation Center on May 7, 2009.  The event will showcase the services TRDA provides to entrepreneurs and emerging area businesses along with introductions to its start-up firms that have taken advantage of these services.

The Business Innovation Center’s primary function is to work with start-up companies to boost job creation and the local economy.  This 31,000 square-foot business incubator provides entrepreneurs with valuable resources including mentoring from successful entrepreneurs, support from expert service providers and private investors, and complete modern office facilities to help small businesses grow into mature, thriving companies.  

“The Center supports 13 early-stage companies developing technologies with wide-reaching, commercial implications,” said Chester J. Straub, executive director of TRDA. “There’s a wealth of resources, advisers and funding avenues to help businesses flourish at TRDA,” added Straub.

WHAT: TRDA Business Innovation Center Open House

WHEN: May 7, 2009 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: TRDA Business Innovation Center, 1050 W. NASA Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901 (A quarter mile west of the Melbourne International Airport)

COST: Free

RSVP: Contact Brenda McMillan at the TRDA Business Innovation Center at bmcmillan@trda.org or 321-872-1050, extension 103.

For more information about the Business Innovation Center, including contact information for the start-ups, or any of TRDA’s other services, visit www.trda.org.

About TRDA

The TRDA Business Innovation Center helps start-up technology firms in Central Florida grow into financially viable, freestanding, high-growth companies. It offers clients access to modern office space, shared office resources, business services, professional development and training, investor networking and more for one monthly fee. By 2011, it will serve 30 to 35 new or expanding technology businesses in the area and create 70 to 100 jobs.

Launched in 1987, the TRDA is an agency of the state of Florida that leverages federal, state and private resources to develop and implement technology-based programs in four target areas: education, business incubation, energy, and technology transfer.  Since its inception, the TRDA has leveraged tens of millions of dollars in funding to support its education and economic development programs. By infusing new technology into businesses and schools, the TRDA helps to strengthen the economy and education throughout the state and nation. 

For more information, visit www.trda.org.

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