Mr. Kulongoski goes to Washington

According to the Stateman Journal of Salem, Ore., Gov. Ted Kulongoski plans to ask "Bush administration science officials" that his state get in on federal nano dollars. The governor said the follow-up phone call shows the importance of face-to-face meetings in Washington, D.C. He hopes it works today, when he meets with Bush administration science officials to argue that Oregon should be one of 10 centers for nanotechnology research. The proposal is part of a bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that passed Congress last year. The new law authorizes but does not guarantee $3.6 billion in federal funding during four years for research on building atom- or molecule-sized electronic circuits for use in construction, energy storage or medical treatment. Kulongoski doesn’t expect an answer today, but he said, “If you don’t show up, you can’t get in the queue.” The governor's reverse-Oregon-trail pilgrimage is part of the state's push to capitalize on Wyden's influence with nanotechnology proponents. As Small Times reported last week,  Oregonians are going to make the most out of their senator's co-sponsorship of the nanotech act. Update: And this just in from The Oregonian. Scientists scramble to gain footing in the burgeoning field of nanotechnology" Discuss Related Stories at Small Times President thinks a billion of nano, but a bit less than allowed by law Wyden visits Oregon State University for a big nano pep rally Boomtown wannabes all want a piece of the new nanotech action Retired HP official to lead Oregon nano center University of Oregon nano researchers aiming for marketable products Oregon, My Oregon Free Money from the Federal Government for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs Grant Writing For Dummies