TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 22 INL’sTechnology-Based Economic Development program stimulates the regional and local economy by supporting innovative ventures, nurturing relationships with local businesses and attracting talent. INL strengthens the region as Idaho’s sixth largest private employer, employing 4,256 workers in 2016. Other important impacts include the following: Technology-Based Economic Development Highlights Small Business Innovation Research Idaho RoadTour The Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC), headquartered in the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University, teamed up with INL and the Idaho Department of Commerce to bring a series of small business funding workshops to communities across Idaho.The Idaho Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) road tour highlighted state and national grant programs, as well as local business resources for Idaho’s technology entrepreneurs and small business owners. Connecting with Community “Partnering with INL: Powering Discovery” events in Boise and Idaho Falls (below) drew more than 400 business and community leaders. Attendees learned about INL’s mission, and how to partner with the laboratory in a variety of ways related to economic development, technology deployment, contracting and education. DID YOU KNOW? The SBIR tour stopped in six Idaho cities throughout the year: Salmon, Idaho Falls, Pocatello,Twin Falls, Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene. DID YOU KNOW? During FY17, INL was instrumental in establishing the newly formed Regional Economic Development Eastern Idaho (REDI) Science,Technology and Research (STAR) industry cluster. When combined with indirect and induced impacts, INL operations add $1.9 billion to Idaho’s total output. INL’s total output impact increased by nearly $324 million between FY 2015 and FY 2016, a 20.4 percent increase. Combined with secondary impacts, INL accounted for nearly 11,280 Idaho jobs. More than $874 million of economic output was generated through INL suppliers and employee household spending. BEA subcontracted more than $136 million to Idaho companies.