Front row, left to right: Roy Escoubas, FAPC-Oklahoma State University; Chuck Willoughby, FAPC-Oklahoma State University; Connie Miller, Granna's; Farrell Miller, Granna's; Jason Young, FAPC-Oklahoma State University. Back row, left to right: Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb; the Honorable Dave Lopez, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism.

(May 4, 2012) Oklahoma State University was among business and higher education partnerships throughout the state recognized for its innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships for current students of the institutions to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.

“When businesses partner with higher education, the regional and state economy wins,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Oklahoma’s colleges and universities collaborate with businesses to provide customized education and training, and through these efforts, students receive hands-on, career-related experiences that better prepare them for today’s business world. As economic engines, higher education institutions serve as catalysts for generating ideas and business opportunities. Colleges and universities also support health and wellness initiatives through medical centers and recreational facilities that benefit not only the lives of their students but their surrounding communities.”

OSU and Granna’s LLC – Granna’s, a provider for the Mobile Meals program, first contacted OSU’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) in March 2000 with a desire to produce and market frozen chili and other heat and serve foods. FAPC partnered with Granna’s to offer assistance with business planning, formulation scale up and market development. FAPC has also provided process flow planning and equipment identification, food safety training and third-party audit preparation. Subsequent training in food safety and technical assistance continues to date. Additionally, FAPC will be providing food process engineering expertise as Granna’s prepares for a 4,000-square-foot expansion in 2012. Granna’s will use this award to cover training fees for employees and/or continued technical assistance from FAPC.

More details about the partnerships are available on the State Regents’ website at www.okhighered.org/econ-dev.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

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