Pennsylvania State University
IN-3: Innovation 3

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) helps Pennsylvania companies improve their competitiveness by providing innovative technological assistance and information to help resolve specific technical questions or needs. The program focuses on helping smaller firms that normally do not have the in-house expertise or resources to resolve specific technology questions or needs. PennTAP technical specialists assist small companies by providing technical advice, technical information, and connections to other expertise, resources, or programs. PennTAP services the entire state of Pennsylvania through a network of technical specialists who have specific areas of technical expertise and are located throughout the state. In the sustainability domain, PennTAP offers programs to industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations in energy efficiency audits and assessments, pollution prevention, E3 reviews, ISO 50001 gap analysis and demonstration projects, clean manufacturing assessments, environmental assessments, ISO 14000 reviews, and sustainable food practices related to food processing and manufacturing. In 2010, PennTAP performed 255 cases of technical assistance in Pennsylvania, which resulted in $24,515,073 of client-reported economic impact – 275 jobs created – and a 97% customer satisfaction rating. Client quote: “PennTAP provided us with remarkable resources, namely a food science expert…who not only discovered sustainable sources for Pennsylvania-grown potatoes, but, once in hand, went the extra mile to prove for us a yet untried process of potato fermentation. We owe 90 percent of our quality to PennTAP.”