WSU Research and Intelligence Office Tours Grant County

Dr. Brian Kraft from the Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is not only tasked with over seeing the Small Business Development Center for Washington State, he also works to engage Washington businesses with the faculty to find out how the university is able to collaborate with businesses on research and innovation.

WSU has worked on projects from new agriculture machines, to a new type of metal, to what the future of clean tech looks like.

On a previous visit to the office of Grant County Economic Development Council (GCEDC), Dr. Kraft learned about the diversity that Grant County has to offer, not only for our companies, but within the industries that are located. It’s always a good idea to remind even ourselves how diverse Grant County is.
As a formidable location for industrial expansion that has attracted major companies like Genie Industries, Microsoft, Verizon, AstaReal, National Frozen Foods, Simplot and SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, the County also has over 60 different crops produced in the region, which has fostered a strong agricultural sector that is home to over 25 food processing & packaging companies.

It’s no wonder that every time we talk to people about our major industries and companies, they say ‘Wow! I had no idea the amount of things going on in Grant County.’

While Dr. Kraft was in Grant County on July 24th, he was able to sit down with four companies to talk about the possibilities of collaborating together. Topics ranged from agriculture machine manufacturing, to chemical manufacturing to department of defense.

“It was a very productive day,” said Brant Mayo, executive director at the GCEDC. “We were able to tour three companies and visit with another. Everyone has follow up items for after the meetings, but there could be some great collaborations that come from these meetings.”