The University System of Georgia's public service programs have a rich history of contributing to Georgia's economic development. First, the University System's agricultural extension services lifted Georgia's agrarian economy out of the Great Depression. Later, Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute brought Industrial Age technology to Georgia's manufacturers. Today, University System outreach programs are developing a knowledge workforce that creates and uses intellectual technology for the knowledge economy of tomorrow.
Highlights from FY 1998 include:
380,000 Georgians are engaged in continuing education;
21,000 continuing education programs were offered;
3,400 of those programs helped professionals gain or keep their certification for practice; and
880 of those programs were conducted under contract with businesses.
The University System of Georgia's Public Service efforts include:
Economic Development Institute
For nearly 40 years, the 19 regional offices of Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute (EDI) have helped companies improve their productivity and quality, reduce costs, plan expansions, start new operations, and implement proven manufacturing technologies. In the past two years, EDI client firms reported $43 million in increased sales and $29 million in operating costs savings.
Advanced Technology Development Center
The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) incubator program has helped establish more than 75 high-tech companies, which generate annual revenues of more than $250 million and add more than 2,300 high tech jobs to the Georgia economy. ATDC has three Business Center locations: Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, Georgia Center for Advanced Telecommunications Technology (GCATT) headquarters in Atlanta, and a site near the Warner Robins Air Force Base in Middle Georgia.
Small Business Development Center
Through the University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, businesses can receive free one-on-one counseling from experienced business professionals.
SBDC also offers:
Seminars
Workshops
Export assistance
On-site training
Publications
Small business clients who received SBDC consulting services last year had business growth three times the rate of average U.S. businesses and received more than $38 million in start-up and expansion capital.
During FY 1998, SBDC provided 42,600 hours of business consultation for clients. Almost 12,000 people attended 819 programs on starting and expanding small businesses.
ICAPP Access
ICAPP Access provides easy access to the vast resources of its 34 colleges and universities. Two examples of ICAPP Access products are:
ICAPP Database of Faculty Expertise and Funding Opportunities - allows a key word search of University System faculty and staff expertise, and links research funding sources and potential collaborators.
Catalog of University System of Georgia Centers, Institutes, and Special Programs - an inventory of more than 200 institutes, centers and programs of excellence that are part of the 34 institutions of the University System of Georgia. A directory is available in printed form and through the Internet, allowing businesses everywhere to access the concentrated wealth of information and expertise available
Sources: Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development and Economic Services
< Previous | Next >
Information Digest 1998-1999
©December 1999 University System of Georgia