YSU EVENT NASA experts to offer free consulting to businesses

Staff report

Youngstown

Engineers and scientists from the NASA Glenn Research Center will be at Youngstown State University on Oct. 23 to provide free consulting advice for small- and medium-sized companies in the vicinity that may be facing technical challenges.

The meetings will be by appointment in YSU’s Kilcawley Center. Companies chosen for consulting will be selected in October; the deadline to apply was Wednesday.

“YSU is pleased to host this unique opportunity to engage NASA technical experts in solving industry’s most-challenging engineering problems,” said Mike Hripko, director of Research and Economic Development for YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “Our team looks to assist area business to achieve substantial growth.”

YSU President Randy J. Dunn said the three institutions joining together in support of manufacturing are an example of public-private collaboration to create jobs and increase economic development in the region. “The collaboration between Youngstown State, NASA Glenn and Magnet will help to enhance our area’s manufacturing success,” he said.

The NASA road show to YSU is the first of its kind. Applications will be reviewed by representatives from YSU and from Magnet and matched with experts from NASA, who will meet the companies Oct. 23.

The program is presented by YSU; NASA; the federal Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative; Magnet, a nonprofit organization that promotes manufacturing in the 18-county Northeast Ohio region; and Magnet’s Partnership for Regional Innovation Services to Manufacturers, or Prism, program.