Source: Brad Kramer, 785-532-5606, bradleyk@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.amisuccess.com
News release prepared by: Alison Young, 785-532-7044, alidyoung@gmail.com
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
Advanced Manufacturing Institute receives Economic Development Award of Excellence
MANHATTAN -- A program developed and led by Kansas State University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute that helps rural companies and communities compete in the marketplace is being recognized for excellence and as a national example.
KOIN, the Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network, is an economic development project developed by the Advanced Manufacturing Institute. It was honored at the University Economic Development Association's 2012 annual conference in Chattanooga, Tenn., with the Award of Excellence in the leadership and collaboration category. It also received the Judge's Award -- a new award recognizing work that is a marquee example of university-based economic development.
Along with the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, KOIN is supported by a wide range of strategic partners, including the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. The initiative helps rural and distressed Kansas companies and communities innovate and compete in the marketplace. The program was recognized as a national example of the role universities can play in assisting in growth and economic prosperity.
"It is an honor to receive this recognition from the University Economic Development Association for our work in innovation-based economic development to support the state," said Brad Kramer, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Institute and professor and head of the university's department of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.
"We believe that some of the tools developed and integrated methods applied through KOIN, such as asset mapping, social network analysis, network weaving and interactive visual tools, could be utilized by other communities, regions and states to make an impact in their area," he said.
The Advanced Manufacturing Institute is a part of Kansas State University's College of Engineering and an Economic Development Administration University Center that provides technology development services to a wide range of industries. The institute also is a Kansas Department of Commerce Center of Excellence. Find out more about the Advance Manufacturing Institute at http://www.amisuccess.com and http://www.innovatekansas.org.
