$200,000 Federal Grant and Matching Local Investment Will Support New San
Jose Economic Development Initiative
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- With the active participation
from local business and the federal government, San Jose is investing in
another emerging industry by bringing together start-ups and established
Silicon Valley technology companies to address national and local
environmental and homeland security opportunities.
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency has received a $200,000 grant from
the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the planning,
development and design of the San Jose Electronic Transportation
Development Center (ETDC). The EDA grant is the first funding award that
San Jose has received from the EDA in almost 25 years.
"The ETDC project will help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil
and make transportation safer, two key national priorities. The federal
government is pleased to support San Jose in this endeavor," said U.S.
Congressman Mike Honda, whose district includes part of San Jose.
In 2004, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency commissioned a business plan
for the creation of the Electronic Transportation Development Center. The
study indicated that San Jose is poised to take the lead in advanced
transportation, an emerging industry sector in the United States.
"Silicon Valley companies have existing technologies that can be
applied to the design and development of cleaner and safer commercial
vehicles," said San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales. "Because of our innovative
community, we are in a strong position to lead the development of advanced
transportation technologies that will benefit business and the people of
our region, and the nation."
The ETDC is aimed at stimulating the growth of an advanced
transportation industry in San Jose. At the ETDC, Silicon Valley companies
will collaborate on the design, development, prototype fabrication, and
commercialization of clean energy hybrid commercial vehicles that
incorporate Silicon Valley electronics, making the vehicles cleaner, safer,
and more secure.
"Our Agency continues to invest in innovative industries to diversify
our job base and provide a climate for new business formation and
opportunities for our residents," said Harry Mavrogenes, Executive Director
of the San Jose Redevelopment Agency. "The launch of the Electronic
Transportation Development Center demonstrates this effort."
Over the next nine months, the Redevelopment Agency will lead the
effort to survey and select Silicon Valley companies to participate in the
ETDC's pilot project, which will be a demonstration bus to showcase clean
energy hybrids and electronic security systems. The Agency's consultant
team also will prepare the design specifications for the technologies that
will be featured in the pilot project.
Matching support for the ETDC is provided from a $90,000 commitment
from the Redevelopment Agency, along with $110,000 in assistance from the
San Jose State University Foundation, San Jose Environmental Business
Cluster, and sponsors including Applied Materials, Pacific Gas & Electric
Company, Citibank, Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP and SynergyEV.
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency is dedicated to improving the quality
of life for all who live and work in San Jose. Governed by the San Jose
City Council, the Agency facilitates and oversees comprehensive programs
for development to revitalize the City's Downtown, neighborhoods, and
industrial areas. For more information on the ETDC, contact Julie Amato at
the San Jose Redevelopment Agency at (408) 535-8500.
SOURCE Environmental Business Cluster
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Related links:
http://www.environmentalcluster.org/
CONTACT:
Helen de Runa of San Jose Redevelopment
Agency, +1-408-795-1807, or helen.deruna@sanjoseca.gov
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