Current News
For Immediate Release

Philadelphia, PA - December 11, 2003 - Businesses located in economically distressed and disadvantaged regions of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will have access to a range of resources and services to solve their product development challenges, through an $800,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce to Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP).

The grant, which is administered through BFTP/SEP’s Technology Commercialization Services department, supports the implementation of a product development and commercialization network that provides businesses assistance in strategic product planning; marketing and sales strategies; product development engineering; prototype development and testing; strategic partnering; and funding access.

“By awarding this grant to Ben Franklin, we are furthering the Economic Development Administration’s mission to help our partners across the nation create wealth and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to attract private capital investment and to create higher-skill, higher-wage jobs,” noted David Sampson, assistant secretary for economic development, U.S. Department of Commerce.

The EDA-funded program leverages the extensive resources, capabilities and experience of BFTP/SEP’s Technology Commercialization Services and the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center as well as other partner organizations. The program also incorporates a network of preferred third-party consultants and engineering and manufacturing service providers to provide timely access to the specialized skills and strategic partnering opportunities needed for product development and commercialization.

“This grant is evidence of the EDA’s commitment to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its support will help strengthen the ties between companies and communities and further leverage our local economic development resources for regional economic improvement,” said Robert Thompson, PA Senator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) is dedicated to growing the region through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Now commemorating 20 years of innovation excellence, Ben Franklin provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, talent, and expertise they need to compete. Like its namesake, Ben Franklin invests in, builds upon and delivers solutions that grow communities and create new wealth by supporting today's technological ideas and tomorrow's scientific discovery.