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The Defense Alliance was notified in late 2018 that it was awarded funding for its operations by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  The fixed firm price $500,000 contract is one of seven awards provided to existing technology clusters in the U.S. under the SBA's Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) program, begun in 2011.  Defense Alliance was one of the original 10 RICs, and one of the three Advanced Defense Technology clusters for the program.  The contract has an additional four option years of funding to run through fiscal year 2023.

This round of funding includes an emphasis on business development funding for rural small businesses, those in HUBZone and Opportunity Zone designated areas, and those interested in funding opportunities with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Defense Alliance will continue to work with qualified businesses that are interested in commercializing innovative technologies in a myriad of market sectors, including energy, strategic natural resources, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other areas.  The geographic focus for consulting efforts will be in the four-state region of North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Defense Alliance will provide additional information about its new operations under the RIC contract in the weeks ahead.