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In the November 1, 1996 Issue:

MEP, EPA Fund Environmental Assistance Networks


In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced that 16 of its Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliates will receive funding to develop statewide environmental assistance networks. NIST and EPA will spend $1.6 million (to be matched with $1.2 million in cost-shared funding) to support efforts by the centers to identify the environmental assistance needs of the state's industries and the available resources. Each center, working with other organizations in the state, will develop and implement a statewide system of environmental services.

According to NIST, most states already have a number of programs -- often operating independently -- that provide industry with compliance and regulatory information, pollution prevention technical assistance, and regulatory compliance audits. This effort is designed to coordinate the resources of the various regulatory agencies and service providers to make it easier for manufacturers to find environmental information and comply with state and federal regulations.

The states receiving funds for the new environmental assistance networks are: Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.


ATP Application Rate Holds Steady


Advanced Technology Program (ATP) officials announced that they have received 309 proposals in the 1996 ATP general competition, which closed in mid-September. Preliminary analysis of the proposals shows strong concentrations in a wide variety of technology areas, including biotechnology, electronics, chemical processing, computer hardware and software, energy and manufacturing.

Competitions in each of the last three years have received an average of 300 applications. Between $20-25 million in funding is expected to be distributed to winners. The announcement of projects selected for funding is expected in early 1997.


Nominees Sought for Small Business Person of the Year


The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominees for Small Business Person of the Year. The deadline for nominations is November 15.

A Small Business Person of the Year is selected from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. From this pool, one individual is selected as the national Small Business Person of the Year.

Each state's Small Business Person of the Year must meet criteria which include staying power, growth in employment, increase in sales/unit volume, innovation, response to adversity, and evidence of contributions to their community.

Advocate awards are also presented to persons who have used their professional skills or personal talents to further public understanding and awareness of small business. Candidates must have taken an active role in creating opportunities to promote the interests of small business. Advocate categories include : Women in Business, Minority, Veteran, Accountant, Financial Services and Media.

Special awards are also presented to the Small Business Exporter and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Federal Government Prime Contractor and Subcontractor of the year. Large companies that started as small businesses are also honored with the Entrepreneurial Success Award.

Nominations can be made by any individual or organization. All nominations must be received by the SBA district office no later than November 15. To obtain information on completing a nomination package, contact your nearest SBA office. For the location of the SBA office nearest you, call the SBA's Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722.


People


President Clinton recently announced his intention to nominate Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University, to the National Science Board, an advisory body to the National Science Foundation. The National Science Board recommends overall national policies for promoting basic research and education in the sciences.

Lionel "Skip" Johns, associate director for technology at the White House's Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), announced he would be leaving his position in October.

Sigfried Hecker, the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, announced that he is stepping aside in order to participate more closely in scientific collaboration between US and Russian researchers. Hecker has headed Los Alamos since 1986.

Jay F. Honeycutt, the director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), has announced his plans to retire from NASA in early 1997. He became director in 1995.

Dr. Robert Schrieffer (Physics, Florida State University and University of Florida), Dr. Kenneth J. Arrow (Economics, Stanford University), Dr. Elsa Garmire (Engineering, Dartmouth College) and Dr. Joan Argetsinger Steitz (Life Sciences, Yale University) were chosen by President Clinton to serve on the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science. The National Medal of Science was created by federal law to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering.


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