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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2718 |
| SATOP Agricultural Initiative |
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| Requester: |
Chester J. Straub Jr. |
Organization: |
Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) |
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| Project Title: |
SATOP Agricultural Initiative |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 3:48:03 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Posey |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The SATOP Agricultural Initiative will create a statewide economic stimulus by assisting Florida�s largest industry-Agriculture-overcome some of its most difficult technical challenges. A positive impact will be realized through an increase in jobs, production, sales, and implementation of new technologies. |
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| Recipient: |
Technoligical Research and Development Authority |
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Contact: |
Chester J. Straub Jr. |
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1050 West Nasa Boulevard |
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Contact Phone: |
(321) 872-1050 |
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Melbourne 32901 |
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Contact email: |
cstraub@trda.org |
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| Counties: |
Brevard |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| Since 2001 TRDA�s Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) has provided technical assistance to businesses in Florida and 47 other states. Twenty-five hundred businesses seeking help in areas such as machine design, process engineering and material selection have been provided with solutions to their business challenges. In 2006 alone, the TRDA program generated more than $165 million in economic impact, along with directly creating or retaining 327 jobs; SATOP indirect and induced jobs totaled 781 for the year.
Currently, the vast majority of Florida companies using SATOP�s services are private manufacturers. This expanded initiative will allow TRDA to increase its outreach efforts to Florida�s agricultural community and help strengthen this integral part of Florida�s economy and way of life.
SATOP normally works directly with individual businesses that have encountered a specific technical challenge. In order to maximize its effectiveness, SATOP�s agricultural initiative will interface directly with Florida�s more than 25 existing agricultural associations that represent more than 160,000 agricultural-based businesses across livestock, citrus, forestry, vegetables and horticulture.
The SATOP Agricultural Initiative will work with the various agricultural associations to identify specific industry-wide challenges such as irrigation, lightening protection, machinery, and data collection. Priority will be given to those challenges with the greatest potential for stimulating economic development. SATOP will work with representatives from the associations and their membership to develop solutions that could be deployed industry wide.
SATOP will also focus on agricultural companies that are involved in the development of bioenergy technologies. Companies within this sector will be approached on an individual basis and will receive customized solutions in response to their unique technical challenges. SATOP will utilize contacts with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and applicant/grantees in the Farm to Fuel program to identify potential companies that could benefit from assistance. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| SATOP expects to receive and process up to 100 agricultural industry challenges or individual business technical assistance requests during the first year of operation. To achieve this outcome SATOP will: (1) Provide up to 40 hours of free technical assistance to Florida associations/companies involved in the agricultural industry, (2) Perform site visits to Florida farms that express an interest in using SATOP, (3) Develop and distribute a list of �best practices� for the agricultural industry that has been collected from specific agricultural challenges, (4) Develop collateral materials and a marketing campaign specifically designed to target the needs of the agricultural industry, and (5) Participate in agricultural Trade Shows to promote SATOP and its ability to serve the agricultural industry. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$300,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$337,500 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Federal |
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Cash Amount |
$37,500 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$300,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Department of Agriculture statutory requirements identified in sec. 570.07 |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Will come before the Brevard County Delegation on 2/27/08 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
