FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2011
For more information please contact: SCRA Micki Howard 843.760.3329 office 843.697.9226 mobile micki.howard@scra.org
Carolinas' Nuclear Cluster Consortium Receives SBA Award Only Entity in Southeast to Receive Funding
Charleston, SC – September 12, 2011 – The Carolinas' Nuclear Cluster Consortium, of which SCRA is a member, recently received a $592,728 award from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for the "Regional Innovation Clusters - Nuclear Energy Technology and Components." This award will initiate the second year of the "Innovative Economies" contract, which was created by the SBA to help small businesses grow and meet critical gaps in industry supply chains.
The Carolinas' Nuclear Cluster (CNC), created by New Carolina is a consortium of industry, higher education and nonprofit organizations working in unison to support energy and economic development The CNC is comprised of nearly 50 member organizations, and is the only SBA awardee in the Southeast. SCRA is a prominent member of the organization and will bring over 20 years of supply chain expertise and solutions to the CNC.
The Carolinas supply 11.5% of the nation's nuclear energy. Currently, North Carolina has five nuclear reactors in operation, 32% of the state's total electricity generation. South Carolina has seven operating reactors, 52% of the state's total electric generation, and has two new units under construction.
The second year of the project will focus on the small firms that have the highest chance to become suppliers on a regional and even multi-national basis.
"SCRA is delighted to be a part of this important project," said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. "Our supply chain expertise, coupled with our outstanding record in the manufacturing process will help small businesses in South Carolina grow and further the Knowledge Economy."
About SCRA http://www.scra.org
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with its headquarters in South Carolina. SCRA has a dual mission:
To advance the Knowledge Economy - SCRA affiliate SC Launch is an economic development program that helps early-stage companies to commercialize innovations and create jobs. Learn more at www.sclaunch.org.
To deliver technology solutions to complex challenges - SCRA affiliate Advanced Technology International (ATI) leads applied research collaborations that develop technologies to improve the mission effectiveness of Federal agencies and the business execution of Corporations. Learn more at www.ati.org.
In support of both missions, SCRA builds and manages research facilities that include wet labs, secure rooms for sensitive work and advanced, high-tech manufacturing shops.