$22 Million CIP Request for a new Innovation Hub
Thanks to your support and testimonies, the Senate Ways and Means Committee (hearing on 3/18/14) included HTDC’s $22 million CIP request to build a new innovation hub in their draft of the State Budget. Remaining in the budget was critical to move our CIP request forward.
Over the next few weeks members from the House and Senate will go into conference to make the final decisions about the budget. We need your help in reaching the following Representatives and Senators. If one of them is in your district, please reach out to them to say you SUPPORT this effort. You may do this by calling, emailing, or visiting them at their offices.
Senate Committee: Ways and Means (WAM)
David Y Ige, Chair
Michelle N, Kidani, Vice Chair
Suzanne Chun Oakland
Donovan M. Dela Cruz
J. Kalani English
Will Espero
Gilbert Kahele
Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran
Ronald D. Kouchi
Russell E. Ruderman
Laura H. Thielen
Jill N. Tokuda
Sam Slom
House Committee: Finance (FIN)
Sylvia Luke, Chair
Scott Y Nishimoto, Vice Chair
Aaron Ling Johanson, Vice Chair
Ty J.K. Cullen
Kaniela Ing
Jo Jordan
Bertrand Kobayashi
Nicole E. Lowen
Dee Morikawa
Richard H.K Onishi
Gregg Takayama
James Kunane Tokioka
Justin H. Woodson
Kyle T. Yamashita
Beth Fukumoto
Gene Ward
Background:
The CIP funds will be used to build a new innovation hub equipped with collaborative space and competitive connectivity speeds – amid flexible office space for startups. It will elevate HTDC’s tech incubation program and expand our reach to a broader tech community.
The current lease at the Manoa Innovation Center will expire in April 2015. Without a new location HTDC and the incubation program that was created to support you (our local tech community!) will not exist.
HTDC is vital to Hawaii’s innovation and entrepreneurial community through:
• research commercialization grants
• technical assistance for manufacturers
• tech business incubation programs
• innovation research for the transportation industry and other tech industries
• startup mentoring workshops and conferences
If you have any questions or would like to discuss, please contact Len Higashi (len@htdc.org).
Mahalo again from the HTDC Staff!