ITHACA, N.Y. -- Strengthening its outreach commitment to the local and statewide economies, Cornell University has consolidated the economic-development functions of four of its technology-access units into a new Cornell Office of Economic Development. Now under one administrative roof are the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Biotechnology (CAT), the Cornell Office for Technology Access and Business Assistance (COTABA), the Cornell Research Foundation (CRF) and the Cornell Business and Technology Park. Heading the Cornell Office of Economic Development is Lynn W. Jelinski, a professor of engineering who also serves as director of the biotechnology CAT.

Along with the announcement of this consolidation, a new director of COTABA was named. Richard D. Holsten, who also holds the title of director of research for the biotechnology CAT, assumed the directorship of COTABA at the beginning of this year.

The consolidation follows Cornell's recent three-year commitment to help fund the start-up of an incubator program serving Tompkins County. Called the Tompkins County Business Innovation Center, the incubator is now under development in the private sector.

"The university is very interested in seeing new businesses start up in our immediate community and throughout New York state, " said Cornell President Hunter R. Rawlings. "Part of our responsibility as a major research university is to help build a stable and prosperous local community. The creation of the Office of Economic Development and support of the Tompkins County Business Innovation Center are signs that Cornell takes this responsibility -- to mobilize our resources and leverage our capabilities -- very seriously. Everyone wants to live in an economically strong community, and Cornell is very committed to making that happen."

The Office of Economic Development will manage a technology development fund to assist faculty in moving new technology closer to commercialization. In announcing the fund, Cornell Vice President for Research and Advanced Studies Norman R. Scott said, "One of the things we know about research conducted at institutions such as Cornell is that products rarely emerge fully formed and market-ready from university laboratories. Almost always, additional development is needed before even the best new ideas have commercial impact. As one of the world's foremost research institutions, we must take that second step and 'jump start' our commercialization potential. The technology development fund will allow us to do that."

The Cornell Office of Economic Development will utilize the same array of university resources to aid all technology-related enterprises that the biotechnology CAT has for businesses in that field, according to Cornell Senior Vice President Frederick A. Rogers. Noting that 17 biotechnology companies were formed and dozens of research projects moved forward during Jelinski's tenure at the biotechnology CAT, Rogers said: "With Dr. Jelinski at the helm, we can share our resources in a comprehensive economic development program. Our economic development thrust will enhance the core missions of the university, namely teaching, research and outreach. It will provide faculty with increased industrial interactions, help to develop entrepreneurial activities including formation of spin-off companies and provide opportunities such as internships at new firms."

"Helping our region become more economically vibrant is critical for Cornell's future, and I'm pleased and excited to participate in this effort," Jelinski said, outlining first-year objectives for the Cornell Office of Economic Development: "First and foremost, we want to make it easier for our faculty, staff and students to commercialize their work. We anticipate making the first technology-development awards to support this effort later in the year. In the meantime, we will be meeting with individual departments to provide information on patents and licensing, the technology-development fund and on internship opportunities for students."

Case studies of businesses that were successfully spun-off Cornell research can provide valuable templates for future successes, Jelinski said, but the Office of Economic Development intends to add an additional dimension: student involvement. "We want to give students a chance to apply what they're learning in the classroom in the most dynamic and energy-filled environments, new businesses on their way up. These can be great educational experiences for students," Jelinski said, "and the new firms will benefit from the energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspective that Cornell students can provide."

"We are pleased with this Cornell initiative," said Michael Stamm, president of Tompkins County Area Development, "because it will help stimulate our local economy and create new ventures, strengthen existing businesses and create new jobs. The future of the local and regional economies depend on how well entrepreneurs and existing businesses integrate new technology into their products and manufacturing processes. This new initiative will play a vital role in helping the private sector access Cornell's vast array of world-class resources."

For those outside Cornell who wish to access technology created here, the Office of Economic Development will serve as a clearinghouse. In addition to matching potential entrepreneurs and managers of new ventures with Cornell researchers and projects, the office will network with university alumni who are interested in supporting new ventures and industrial partnerships.

The new Office of Economic Development has its headquarters in the Cornell Biotechnology Building and can be reached by phone (607) 255-2300, fax (607) 255-6249 or Internet lwj2@cornell.edu.