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TechConnect West Virginia has hired John Golden as project manager of the Innovation Adoption Program, an initiative to help make small manufacturers in the state more competitive through funding and guidance for development of new products and processes, a representative announced.

“John is uniquely qualified to lead the Innovation Adoption Program given his knowledge of the state, his relationships within the business and manufacturing communities and his dedication to innovation-based economic development,” said Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect West Virginia.  “We are excited to have him on board.”

Barth said Golden will help companies improve their manufacturing processes to more efficiently produce higher quality products and/or develop new product offerings to stay ahead of the competition.

The program provides up to $20,000 in project funding to help a selected company contract for services through one of several designated centers of excellence.  This amount of funding is capped at 50% of the total project costs, and thus each participating company will be expected to match (1:1) the funding provided for the project.  These funds can be used for the technology and/or new product development needs of existing manufacturers by connecting them with the prototyping, design, testing, and analytical capabilities of the designated centers of excellence.

Golden has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the state’s telecommunications, electric utility and nonprofit industries.

The Innovation Adoption Program is the latest in a portfolio of business assistance and development programs that have been established by TechConnect West Virginia. The program is funded from a grant provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, a regional foundation advancing economic initiatives in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania, and in partnership with Innovation Works, a Southwestern Pennsylvania-based economic development organization.

TechConnect West Virginia is a statewide economic development organization dedicated to fostering and promoting innovation-based businesses and entrepreneurial activities across West Virginia. TechConnect encompasses a coalition of professionals dedicated to growing and diversifying West Virginia’s economy through innovation-based economic development.  With members representing education and research, private industry, and the public sector, the organization serves as a forum and facilitator to enhance awareness, spur collaboration, and raise the discussion of issues needed to strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem.  For more information, go to www.techconnectwv.org.