Industry funds sought for a tech consultant

Utah's tech executives soon will hear a knock at their doors.

The Utah Technology Industry Council wants them to pitch in some money so the council can hire a consultant to look into ways to boost the state's tech sector.

The council on Tuesday voted to have its strategic planning committee continue discussions with four consultants and discussed fund-raising efforts.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development has $100,000 that could be used for matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, but hiring one of the consultants to conduct the study is expected to cost $180,000 to $225,000.

Council member Peter Genereaux said the ultimate result would be a development plan for three subsectors — aerospace, biotechnology/life sciences and information technology.

The committee requested information about a possible study from 18 consulting companies, received nine responses and narrowed the field to four.

If the money can be raised, the committee will meet with the four companies to determine if a formal bidding process for the study would be the best approach or if one company stands out from the rest. The council then would serve as a liaison between the consultant and tech industry stakeholders in the state who would benefit from the study.

"The timeline is (based on) funding," Genereaux said. "We don't move until we have funding."

Council chairman Paul Clayson will be the point man for the money-raising effort. He said two firms already have expressed interest in helping "with significant funding."

"We believe there will be many who will step up," Clayson said.

Council members will meet soon with industry organizations to coordinate efforts and ensure that the council's activities pose no conflict to theirs. Later, council members will visit executives and make their pleas.

"That will be taking place very rapidly," Clayson said.

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