State Helps Companies Seek Research Grants

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - State officials say they are expanding a
program that helps South Dakota businesses seek federal funding for
research and development.
     The Governor's Office of Economic Development recently got a
$55,000 federal grant that will be used to hire graduate assistants
who will help businesses apply for research money from the Small
Business Innovation Research program.
     State Economic Development Commissioner J. Pat Costello says
small businesses can apply for grants of up to $150,000 to study
the feasibility of a new business technology, product or process.
If the study shows the idea is feasible, a business can apply for a
grant of up to $1 million to build a prototype and take the new
product to market.
     The program is aimed at projects that create solutions for
specific federal government needs.