1. Minnesota Economic Development Group Chosen
for Small Business Grant
July 24, 2014
Madeline Koch, 651-259-7236
Madeline.Koch@state.mn.us
Robert Reese, 612-259-6581
rreese@meda.net
ST. PAUL – The Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda) has been awarded a
$90,909 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration that will help small technologies and
science firms bring their innovations to the marketplace and stimulate science and technology
jobs. Meda was one of only 22 economic development agencies, business development centers,
colleges and universities that received the awards totaling $2 million.
"Innovation drives long-term economic growth and success,” said Jan Jordet, Meda interim
president and CEO. “We will once again have the resources within our state to assist small
businesses with innovative ideas pursue grants from federal programs.”
The funding will be used to establish a program at Meda that will provide guidance and
professional expertise to help tech-driven small businesses locate federal funding and
government contracts. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(DEED) is providing funds as well.
"The grant will help Minnesota become more competitive in science and technology and shape
our future in today’s ever-changing global economy,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark
Sieben.
All small technologies and science firms across the state will qualify for assistance, which will
include education and training, counseling, mentoring and federal contracting.
Program advisers will focus on helping tech-driven small businesses compete successfully for
funding from the federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) programs, which are designed to support scientific excellence and technological
innovation. The STTR program focuses on partnerships between small businesses and
universities and nonprofit research institutions.
The program at Meda will be available to serve all small-tech firms in the state. Services may be

2. offered Oct. 1, but no official date has been announced.
For more information, contact Robert Reese, Meda director of fund development and community
relations at 612-259-6581 or rreese@meda.net .
Meda provides assistance to businesses owned and managed by entrepreneurs of color. Meda
offers one-on-one business consulting, training, leadership development, government
contracting assistance, access to financing, networking with peers, and assistance with minority
certifications, strategic planning and more.
DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment,
expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community
development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us
at http://mn.gov/deed/ . Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndeed .