$65-Million Research Initiative Underway

None by KCPW

USTAR Board Convenes

(KCPW News) Utah embarked this week on a 65-million dollar experiment to spur economic growth through university research. The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, or USTAR, will pour tens of millions in taxpayer money over the next several years into recruiting researchers and improving facilities that will hopefully create new jobs and turn a big profit for the economy.

"I know all eyes are going to be on this process, so that we are prepared to deliver and can identify the areas of growth that will make us a shining star example of economic development," says Governor Jon Huntsman Junior.

Huntsman acknowledged the tall order of USTAR in speaking to the initiative's newly-appointed governing board. He chose venture capitalist Dinesh Patel to chair the board, which includes representatives of the bio-tech, aerospace and information technology industries which the governor has identified as key economic clusters. Prior to kicking off the board's first meeting, Huntsman visited a Utah County company that illustrates his economic vision for USTAR.

"I saw there a jet that is getting ready for the marketplace. And to think that the propulsion system comes from Utah, the composites are being developed here in Utah. It's just one of many clusters of excellence we can look forward to here in Utah - it's going to be a hugely important part of our future."

The all-volunteer USTAR board is expected to hold Utah's research universities accountable for how the new funds are spent. However, the board's first order of business is hiring an executive director to pull a salary of up to $100,000 a year driving the initiative.

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