$500,000 Grant Expected To Grow RFID Center, Technology

Erie, PA - The RFID Center of Excellence, an outreach unit of the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. The funding, which is provided through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, will allow the RFID Center to expand its current operations—helping implement RFID technology and, in turn, supporting economic development and job creation.

"This grant is our largest to date and gives us the opportunity to tackle some very measured objectives to advance RFID within the academic setting and in industry," said Frank DeWolf, center director and lecturer in management and e-business in the Black School of Business. "In the last 12 months alone, the RFID Center of Excellence has been awarded more than $775,000 in grants and private industry contributions."

The $500,000 grant will be used to assist Pennsylvania-based businesses, conduct applied research projects, foster workforce development, and increase outreach and awareness-building activities. The center is also working with Penn State Behrend faculty members to integrate RFID technology into a number of business and engineering courses.

Since its inception in 2005, the RFID Center has trained more than 750 industrial professionals and well over 1,000 students, hosted two RFID conferences with 400 attendees, recruited 16 industry members, and collaborated on various research and senior design projects. Housed in the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) at Penn State Behrend, the mission of the RFID Center of Excellence is to conduct applied RFID research and outreach to advance the adoption of RFID technology as well as promote innovation to create strategic advantages and economic growth for Pennsylvania industry.

The RFID Center's third annual "RU Ready for RFID?" conference will explore RFID best practices and emerging technologies currently being used in the food industry. This year's conference will be held Wednesday, May 14, in the REDC. It will feature five sessions presented by companies that are benefiting from using the technology by providing RFID solutions throughout the food industry. More than 200 industry professionals and 20 corporate exhibitors are expected to attend. Visit behrend.psu.edu/rfid for more information.

The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority is dedicated to fostering technological innovation, strengthening the commonwealth's economy, and creating and retaining good-paying jobs that require advanced skills. It provides funding for a host of technology initiatives and supports four Ben Franklin Technology Partners throughout Pennsylvania, which identify and provide technical assistance and capital to promising ventures. Since 2003, the authority has invested more than $242 million for projects across Pennsylvania.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is a comprehensive residential college offering 33 baccalaureate, six associate, four pre-professional and two graduate degree programs with 22 minors to more than 4,400 students. Focused on providing a student-centered environment, Penn State Behrend is the link that connects its students to a major research and land-grant institution on a campus enriched by more than 110 clubs and organizations, 21 NCAA varsity teams, 19 intramural sports and modern facilities. For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu.

SOURCE: Penn State Erie, The Behrend College