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| Date: | December 1, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Peter Winiecki | | Contact Phone: | 651-297-8077 | | Contact Email: | peter.winiecki@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR ORTMAN RECEIVES 2011 TEKNE AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE |
St. Paul – Senator Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen) is 1 of 5 legislators recognized by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) as recipients of the 2011 Tekne Award for Public Service. Members of the MHTA created this new Public Service award category this year to honor individuals who provide outstanding service to support Minnesota’s growing technology economy. During the November ceremony, the MHTA also honored more than a dozen Minnesota-based technology and innovation leaders throughout a range of fields including manufacturing and sustainable technologies.
Sen. Ortman was praised for taking a leading role in improving Minnesota’s prosperity through technology and innovation. Specifically, Sen. Ortman was commended for the inclusion and advancement of critical funding for Minnesota’s Science and Technology Authority in the Senate Tax bill. The funds will provide grants for research projects developed by colleges, nonprofit organizations and qualified science and technology companies. In addition, Sen. Ortman was recognized for her advocacy to include Data Center Tax Credits in the Omnibus Tax Bill, which was signed into law in July following the 2011 Special Legislative Session.
“It is a great honor to receive the 2011 Tekne Public Service Award from the Minnesota High Tech Association. Their members are an esteemed group of Minnesota’s small businesses, large corporations, non-profits and colleges and universities advancing cutting-edge technology and innovation; they are engaged in enterprise that will lead the state toward economic growth,” said Sen. Ortman. “In order for our state to remain competitive in a global economy, we must continue developing a world-class workforce that is equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.”
Since 1982, the Minnesota High Tech Association has been a leading voice in advocating for Minnesota’s technology-based economy. The MHTA works closely with business executives, government officials, and educators to promote concepts that enable Minnesota and its influential technology-based economy to excel at its mission of supporting growth, sustainability and Minnesota’s global competitiveness in an entire spectrum of technology companies. The MHTA is committed to make Minnesota a world leader for technology industry.
In recent years, venture capital investments have fallen to increasingly low levels in Minnesota. To help alleviate this, the Science and Technology Authority was created by the MHTA to explore ways to inspire and encourage investments in industries such as medical devices, a traditionally large area in Minnesota for start-up businesses.
Other winners of the 2011 Tekne Awards for Public Service were Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), Senator Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), and Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston).
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