News Release

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April 25, 2005

TECHHELP Clients Report $53 Million In Economic Impact, Give Program High Marks
 

The TechHelp program, a partnership of Idaho’s three state universities and based locally at Boise State University, has helped Idaho’s manufacturers add more than $53 million to the state’s economy and has earned high marks from the clients it serves.

The program’s federal sponsor, the Manufacturers Extension Partnership (MEP) at the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), recently announced 2004 impact results for the Idaho Manufacturing Extension Center. TechHelp clients served from January through December 2004 reported a positive economic impact of $53,241,500, and indicated that due to TechHelp services they:
 

• Improved bottom line performance by $32,517,000.

• Invested $16,974,500 in plant and equipment, information systems, and workforce training.

• Created or retained 150 jobs with a $3,750,000 economic impact (The number of jobs is multiplied by $25,000 average annual salary, then multiplied by 2.3 to show the full economic impact on the local economy).

Respondents also indicated that they were highly satisfied with TechHelp services, giving the center a rating of 4.53 out of a possible 5. These results earned TechHelp a perfect score of 100 on MEP’s standard used to gauge the impact of individual MEP Centers. Evaluation is a key element of all NIST MEP programs. TechHelp clients are surveyed quarterly and results are used to assess the effectiveness of TechHelp services and the impact on the performance of client firms.

“The MEP survey results demonstrate that TechHelp delivers measurable returns to its clients and investors and that our Idaho clients are modernizing, investing in their people, saving money and becoming more productive and competitive,” said Gary Thompson, TechHelp executive director who has led the center since 1997.

Thompson said that TechHelp is seeing an increased demand for services and recently added a new product development specialist at the BSU based NPD Lab and a manufacturing specialist in Twin Falls.

TechHelp Manufacturing Specialists are based in Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Post Falls. The specialists provide technical and professional assistance, training and information to Idaho manufacturers and food processors to strengthen their global competitiveness through product and process improvements.

MEP is a network of not-for-profit centers in nearly 350 locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed. The centers serve all 50 states and Puerto Rico and are funded by federal, state, local and private resources. That makes it possible for even the smallest firms to tap into the expertise of knowledgeable manufacturing and business specialists all over the United States.

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Contact: Bill Mullane, TechHelp marketing/public relations manager, (208) 426-2266, williammullane@boisestate.edu

Gary Thompson, TechHelp director, (208) 426-3689, gthomps@boisestate.edu

TECHELP Website: http://www.techhelp.org/

Media Contact: Sherry Squires, University Relations, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State University
1910 University Drive - Education Building, #726 - Boise Idaho 83725-1030

208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001

email newservices@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005