{"73820":{"#nid":"73820","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Helps Boost Middle Georgia Economy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStar Software continues to shine. Earlier this year, Tom Eaves, founder of the Warner Robins company, was tapped as Georgia\u0027s 2005 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. That honor follows on the heels of Star Software\u0027s inclusion in the 2004 \u003Cem\u003EInc\u003C\/em\u003E 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen Star Software was admitted to the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) Warner Robins incubator in 2000, the information technology company had seven employees. Today it employs more than 85, generates more than $5 million in annual revenue and is moving into a new 15,000-square-foot building.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut ATDC isn\u0027t the only Georgia Tech group to assist Star in its growth.  Eaves also credits Georgia Tech\u0027s Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) for helping the company win several important government contracts. Co-located with ATDC\u0027s Warner Robins facility, GTPAC provides marketing and technical assistance to smaller companies wanting to do business with federal, state and local governments. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Most entrepreneurs possess plenty of technical skills but lack the business savvy necessary to build a company,\u0022 says Eaves. \u0022ATDC and GTPAC prevent you from making mistakes - and save you time by pointing you in the right direction.\u0022 \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThough Star Software has received a lot of attention, it isn\u0027t the only success story in Warner Robins. Since its inception in 1991 as ATDC\u0027s first location outside of Atlanta, Georgia Tech\u0027s technology incubator has helped 27 startups and 14 landing parties plant roots in the community, increasing jobs and strengthening Warner Robins\u0027 economic base.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENo small feat, say observers, noting that many incubators have struggled, even those located in large technology hubs. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022There were some people who worried that an incubator wouldn\u0027t be able to survive outside of Atlanta,\u0022 says Larry Walker, a former state representative who helped secure funding for the project. Indeed, Walker admits that even he had a few concerns. \u0022But ATDC has been a tremendous success exceeding our best expectations,\u0022 he says, noting the Warner Robins incubator has paved the way for other ATDC offices in Savannah and Columbus.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChanging landscape\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen ATDC opened its doors in Warner Robins\u0027 Advanced Technology Park, the neighborhood was pretty sparse. In fact, only two buildings stood at that time: the Middle Georgia Technology Development Center (MGTDC) with ATDC as its anchor tenant, and a speculative building, which was a joint project of the city and county government. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EToday, the park comprises more than 35 buildings, with many occupied by former ATDC members who leased or bought real estate to accommodate their companies\u0027 growth. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022There is no question that the ATDC has been a catalyst for the park\u0027s success,\u0022 observes Morgan Law, executive director of the Houston County Development Authority, the park\u0027s developer. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the park originally targeted technology companies and manufacturers as tenants, professional service firms, such as doctors and law practices, have been attracted to the park in recent years, Law says. Business supply firms, restaurants and retailers have also sprouted around the park\u0027s periphery. As a result, the west side of Warner Robins has metamorphosed from country fields into a mixture of commerce and technology.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to bringing new jobs to Warner Robins, the technology park has also bolstered tax rolls. \u0022When land moves from public to private ownership, it benefits everyone by increasing the flow of tax dollars to schools and public parks,\u0022 Law observes, noting that since the park opened, land prices have risen from $25,000 to $100,000 per acre.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPart of ATDC\u0027s mission in Warner Robins is to support the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. To this end, ATDC\u0027s landing party program - which helps attract companies from other states to set up shop in Georgia - has been instrumental in bringing more aerospace industry to the community. Among recent newcomers are Cubic Defense Applications, Megabyte International, Terma and Quantum Research International. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The base is Georgia\u0027s largest industrial complex - employing more than 25,000 - but many people don\u0027t realize that two-thirds of the money flowing into it doesn\u0027t stay in Georgia,\u0022 points out James Calvin, founder of Microcross Inc., a former ATDC company. Many components for planes and weapon systems are sourced from other states, he explains, noting that \u0022landing parties help counteract this outflow by providing new jobs in the area.\u0022 \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore eggs in the basket\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to serving the military base, ATDC has broadened the technology mix in Warner Robins.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We don\u0027t have to hold our breath anymore about BRAC (base realignment and closure) so hopefully the base will continue to prosper, but with any economy it\u0027s also important that you diversify,\u0022 says Robert Hatcher, a partner at NanoMist\u00ae Systems, a current ATDC member. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022ATDC has helped the community see the importance of encouraging other types of technology businesses - that there is life beyond the base,\u0022 adds Gary Martin, founder of IDMI, which graduated from the incubator in 2002. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBoth NanoMist and IDMI are good examples of this diversification. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENanoMist is commercializing an innovative technology for delivering ultra-fine mists composed of micron- and submicron-sized droplets. This technology has a variety of applications, but NanoMist has made the most progress in commercializing a fire-suppression solution that uses water mist - an alternative to chemical agents that have environmental concerns.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The smaller the droplets, the larger their surface area, enabling heat to be absorbed more quickly,\u0022 explains K.C. Adiga, Nanomist\u0027s founder. In lab tests, NanoMist\u0027s technology extinguished a 12-inch diameter pan of flaming kerosene in 10 seconds using only 25 milliliters of water (less than 1 fluid ounce or 1\/8 cup). Besides being remarkably fast, NanoMist\u0027s fire-suppression solution is cheaper than chemical agents and causes less damage. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENanoMist is now expanding into nanomaterials process technology and electronics cooling, and the company has a strong patent portfolio in these areas. Other potential applications include: sterilizing instruments in hospital operating rooms, preventing staph infections in recovery rooms, and sanitizing during food packaging processes. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 1996, IDMI developed the first online solution for insurance companies. PTS, its flagship product, allows agencies to manage their databases and systems - everything from underwriting to data warehousing - from the Internet, which increases efficiencies and reduces errors and costs. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESince leaving ATDC to move into larger offices in the technology park, IDMI has grown to 25 employees with customers in 14 states, Martin reports. The company generated $2.5 million in 2004 revenue and is on track to double revenue to $5 million in 2005.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd though Star Software initially served defense contractors, the company has been branching out. This summer Star Software launched its first educational product, which enables schools to access better software, ranging from auditing and accounting programs to Smart Card technology for managing student attendance or food programs. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We\u0027re targeting lower-end school districts that don\u0027t have large IT budgets,\u0022 Eaves says, noting that the company has already signed on three customers. \u0022We also hope to get into healthcare before the year is over, offering both IT solutions and process engineering.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EStill another new direction, Star Software is developing an information retrieval technology that combines images and words to generate more meaningful searches. Funded with a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation, the company now is studying the feasibility of an automated tool for analyzing satellite imagery. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne of ATDC\u0027s newest resources for helping both existing and startup companies is the Aerospace Innovation Center. Located in the same building as ATDC, the innovation center is one five created in 2003 to support technology-based economic development in Georgia. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The innovation center opens up new avenues in funding, R\u0026amp;D, education and training,\u0022 explains Sherry Giddings, manager of the Warner Robins ATDC and director of the innovation center. \u0022It gives us more ways to help ATDC companies, which get free membership in the center.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInstant credibility\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMembership in ATDC has benefited Warner Robins startups in a variety of ways, say entrepreneurs.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Besides being able to move into a professional environment without breaking the bank, you also have access to top-level resources,\u0022 points out IDMI\u0027s Martin. \u0022Consultants are a luxury that startups can\u0027t otherwise afford - typically you\u0027re limited to asking advice from friends or family.\u0022 \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing affiliated with Georgia Tech also provided IDMI with instant credibility. \u0022It was a regular part of my sales pitch when trying to get clients,\u0022 Martin says. \u0022Being an ATDC member squelched any objections they might have had about giving their business to a small startup company.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMicrocross\u0027 Calvin credits ATDC for helping his company survive tough times. Microcross, which builds open-source development tools that make embedded computer systems easier to program, was about to close on $6 million in venture-capital funding four years ago. Yet before the financing went through, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred and capital markets dried up overnight. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECounseling from ATDC manager Jerry Wilson kept Microcross on course, Calvin says. (Founder of the Warner Robins incubator, Wilson died from cancer in 2003. Earlier this summer, Georgia Tech named the ATDC wing in MGTDC in Wilson\u0027s honor.)\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022When our funding fell through, Jerry advised us to focus on generating revenue instead of trying to attract investors,\u0022 Calvin explains. \u0022Jerry painted a picture of reality for us - that VC money wouldn\u0027t be available for two or three years - and he helped us be resourceful. If we hadn\u0027t been proactive, we would have been forced to shut our doors.\u0022 \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPart of Microcross\u0027 belt-tightening included downsizing from 12 to three employees. Today, however, the rebounding company has six employees and expects to generate $1 million in revenue this year.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAt Star Software, Eaves also links much of his company\u0027s success to the incubator. \u0022We wouldn\u0027t be where we are today without ATDC - that\u0027s something I realize more and more as time goes by,\u0022 he says. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News \u0026amp; Publications Office\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAtlanta, Georgia 30308 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986); E-mail: (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@edi.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejohn.toon@edi.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: T.J. Becker\n\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Companies gain help from ATDC, Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"Through its technology incubator and government procurement assistance center, Georgia Tech is making an impact on the economy of middle Georgia.  Since 1991, the ATDC alone has assisted more than 40 companies, 27 of them startups.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech helps middle Georgia companies grow"}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2005-09-14 00:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:03:38","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2005-09-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2005-09-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"73821":{"id":"73821","type":"image","title":"Tom Eaves, founder","body":null,"created":"1449178020","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 21:27:00","changed":"1475894681","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:44:41"}},"media_ids":["73821"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.atdc.org\/","title":"ATDC"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.edi.gatech.edu\/Default.aspx?alias=www.edi.gatech.edu\/gtpac","title":"Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.starsoftware.com\/","title":"Star Software"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EResearch News \u0026amp; Publications Office\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/contact\/index.html?id=jt7\u0022\u003EContact John Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404-894-6986\u003C\/strong\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}