Water Technology Center Allocated$1.8 Million in Federal Budget


The International Center for Water Technology at California State University, Fresno has been allocated $1.8 million in the 2003 federal budget for planning and early construction work.

The funding, secured with the help of Rep. George Radanovich of Mariposa, will allow the center to move forward with plans for a $60 million water research and development facility. Reps. Bill Thomas and Cal Dooley and Sen. Dianne Feinstein also were helpful in the appropriation.

"The International Center for Water Technology is an exciting project for the San Joaquin Valley, and this allocation will allow the project to move forward," said Fresno State President John D. Welty.

The new center is a collaborative venture between Fresno State and the San Joaquin Valley Water Technology Cluster, an organization of more than 40 manufacturers of water and water-related technology products located in the United States. The majority of these companies can be found between from Bakersfield to Stockton.

A site on the Fresno State campus is being identified and the first phase of the facility should be completed this year. Established in April 2001, the Water Technology Cluster comprises companies that are representative of the entire industry, which involves 120 establishments and more than 5,000 employees throughout the San Joaquin Valley. In addition to the new International Center for Water Technology, the Water Technology Cluster is working together to solve work force development problems and to develop joint marketing and export programs. The San Joaquin Valley Water Technology Cluster is the region's first effort to develop the economy based on strategic clusters of industry that have opportunities for growth and job creation in the global economy.

Program components of the new center include: university- and industry-sponsored research and development; testing services and certification for industry and development of industry standards for water equipment and applications; cooperative marketing and export assistance to increase the competitiveness of U.S. water technology worldwide; and public policy and community education to inform diverse parties about the technical aspects of water issues.

For more information, contact the Interim Director, Dr. David Zoldoske, at (559) 278-2066 or see the complete business plan at www.ICWT.net.

Contact: Shirley Melikian Armbruster (559) 278-2795 or (559) 269-5261