A Fortune 200 company desired to consolidate polymer R&D activities across nine international locations into a single advanced polymer research and manufacturing innovation center. This consolidation strategy would enable the company to: (1) utilize new advanced polymer capital equipment resources for applied R&D and commercial-scale manufacturing initiatives; (2) strengthen its leadership position in current markets; and (3) broaden its dominance in new markets. Beyond the benefits to the company, the proposed innovation center would expand the knowledge base in the field through collaborations with universities, research institutes, and other value chain partners.
Company management was considering the optimal location for the innovation center across candidate sites in four U.S. states. Management was interested in government incentives to contribute to the company’s $16 million corporate investment in capital expansion and workforce development. The company engaged LNE Group to negotiate with state development officials representing the four potential locations, recommend the most advantageous location, and secure the incentives package.
Approach
LNE Group began by identifying sources of government funding for the project. LNE Group then compared the innovation center’s objectives against state development agency funding priorities. The best program identified was a competitive initiative providing 15% cost share toward a company’s total investment. LNE Group recommended the client pursue the opportunity and deployed its grant writing team to scope and draft a proposal. Concurrently, LNE Group developed applications for tax credit support.
Result
The client secured $2.4 million in grant funding to support its polymer innovation center investment along with a tax credit to support the creation of 35 new fulltime jobs. Today, the innovation center has already contributed to the market introduction of several new products and management is optimistic their long-term commercial vision for the center will be realized.
ExpertisePublic Funding Identification Proposal Development & Grant Writing
