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Tech-based ED RoundUp: Casualties of the Economy
Competition Canceled in Florida
The 2002 Florida 100, a competition meant for recognizing the state's fastest-growing private businesses, was canceled earlier this year due to a lack of program funding, the Sun-Sentinel reported. The competition is sponsored annually by the Warrington College of Business Administration at the University of Florida and administered by the school's Fisher School of Accounting. To qualify, companies must demonstrate an increase in sales revenues for the previous three years. Most of the program's private funding in the past has come from major accounting and law firms in Florida.
Incubator in Tampa Shut Down
Officials overseeing TechVillage Tampa Bay, an incubator established last fall, voted to dissolve the nonprofit organization last month, according to the Tampa Tribune. Initially, the incubator had funding and was backed by area sponsors such as the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the University of Tampa. As the economy stumbled, however, so did the support, the article states. The incubator's budget was approximately $120,000.
Slashed Funding Leads to Office Closures in Nebraska
State budgets cuts in Nebraska led Peru State College to cut funding for its Nebraska Business Development Center office, which will close by the end of 2002, the Omaha World-Herald recently reported. The office's Chadron State College counterpart also will close by the year's end due to a cut in federal funding. Peru State officials had survived a 1998 legislative attempt to close their office but, during this go-round, felt the need to eliminate two positions totaling more than $97,500 in costs. The Peru office served 62 clients from five counties in 2001.
Digital Divide Bridge Closes in D.C.
The McLean-based PowerUp, an organization dedicated to helping bridge the Digital Divide, closed its national office last month, according to the Washington Post. Board members of the group decided to cut funding for the program to pursue other philanthropic interests. Using numerous contributions, PowerUp invested more than $50 million toward community centers nationwide, 957 in poverty-stricken areas where computer access is limited. More than 200,000 children a week have access to 12,000 computers through the program, PowerUp estimates.