Bay Area Partnership creates business consortium

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), long known in the area for its support of Houston industries, recently formed a new affiliated nonprofit to take that support in a new direction in an effort to give the local economy a much-needed boost.

Created to draw federal funding to the Bay Area and beyond, the organization's newest venture is an advanced technology consortium called BayTech.

"We're as excited as we can be," said Dan Seal, BAHEP's executive director of special initiatives. "This is a great next step."

With a goal of preserving and growing jobs, BayTech would team businesses and academia in partnerships drawing on the area's considerable knowledge base to supply federal agencies with sought-after research and development.

BayTech would act as a liaison between government agencies and participating partners — businesses, colleges, universities with a focus on research and technology to find solutions federal agencies need and are willing to finance.

With the future of NASA uncertain and the ongoing economic downturn, Seal says support for the BayTech from area business people has been enthusiastic. The organization awaits approval for their submitted proposal.

"This couldn't come at a better time," Seal said.

About BAHEP

The member-driven nonprofit that brings together more than 260 investor companies, business professionals, local governments and academic institutions serves 13 cities in Galveston and Harris Counties.

It was founded in 1976 to attract, retain and expanding industry in the area, moved to its new office on Saturn Lane last June - just in time to file for IRS approval for BayTech.

Representatives from BAHEP seeking support for BayTech have met with state and local officials, as well as area universities and technology companies.

Listed among the plan's targeted federal agencies are the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

With 52 aerospace companies in the area, crossover technologies could include power generation, storage and management, communications, advanced materials, life sciences, imagery, and green applications.

Seal said the initial plan is to create a public/private partnership with business and institutions within 100 mile radius, and then expand to areas outside Houston as the organization grows.

The affiliation's list of services include working to develop new business, vet funding sources, prepare proposals, submissions and conduct negotiations, form teams, write and file financial and technical progress reports, provide accounting services and final reports.

For more information about the group, visit www.bayareahouston.com.