January 31, 2012

“UMA ON THE HILL”

Monday 1-30-‘12:

SB-11 – Department of Environmental Quality Boards Adjudicative Proceedings – (Dayton) Previously passed the Senate and referred to the House. Assigned to the House Judiciary committee and was heard yesterday afternoon. Explanations were made by UMA Legislative Committee chairman David Bird. It passed Judiciary Committee unanimously and referred to House Floor. This is a UMA high priority bill that simplifies the adjudicative proceedings at DEQ to make an appeal a record review. UMA strongly supports.

HB-35 Extension of Recycling Market Development Zone Tax Credits – (Harper) This bill removes a sunset date that was inadvertently missed two years ago. The tax credit is very important to metal recyclers and those manufacturers who use recycled metals. Assigned to House Revenue and Taxation Committee and passed out to the floor 6-1. UMA strongly supports this measure.

MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE-UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX SCHOLARSHIPS
The Manufacturing Institute and University of Phoenix have come together to help manufacturing employees and students advance professionally and personally with scholarship opportunities that can help individuals earn their degrees at University of Phoenix.

Twenty (20) full-tuition University of Phoenix ® Manufacturing Institute Scholarships will be awared to workers and students hoping to complete their undergraduate or master's degree. Scholarship recipients may choose to attend University of Phoenix online or at a nearby location.

Application deadline: April 18, 2012

Award date: June 23, 2012

Eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be one of the following: Currently employed by a United States manufacturing company; transitioning employee (within the past year), looking to reenter the manufacturing workforce or who might be reconsidering a career change into manufacturing; community college student graduating with a manufacturing-related associate degree prior to June 13, 2012; or a student completing a nationally portable, industry-recognized credential prior to June 13, 2012.

• Applicants must agree to be a national spokesperson for advanced manufacturing careers, if selected, for the term of the scholarship. This includes, but is not limited to, being highlighted in special communications, e.g. newsletters, media campaigns, and research studies.

• Applicants must not be currently enrolled nor in the process of enrolling at any University of Phoenix campus or in any online program at any time prior to the scholarship award date. Applicants who enroll after submitting an application or before the scholarship award date are not eligible to be a recipient of this scholarship.

• Applicants must meet all admissions requirements of the University of Phoenix.

• Please see the application for additional eligibility requirements.

Scholarship criteria, requirements and deadlines

Promote this opportunity to your students and employees: contact Jacey Wilkins at jwilkins@nam.org or (202) 637-3493.

WTO: CHINA UNFAIRLY LIMITS EXPORT OF RAW MATERIALS
Today in Manufacturing
A WTO appeals body largely sided with the United States, EU and Mexico, and said China must reduce its export duty and export quota measures ... continue

2012 UTAH INNOVATION AWARDS
Nominations are now being accepted for the 10th annual Utah Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and the Utah Technology Council, and sponsored by Utah Business magazine, Webb Audio Visual Communications, Stage 12 and KUER. The program recognizes Utah’s best innovations and the companies that created them. Nominations are due February 17, 2012 and can be submitted online here.

Innovations from ALL industries, and in all areas of technology and business, are eligible for consideration if they meet the eligibility requirements. When submitting a nomination, nominators are invited to create a classification that best fits their nomination, or select from past years’ classifications on the nomination form. A final determination of the classification areas/category names will be decided by program organizers based on the pool of nominations. Past years’ categories have included:

• Clean Technology and Energy

• Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices

• Consumer Products

• Consumer Software and Web Services

• Enterprise Software and Web-Enabled B2B Solutions • Life Science (Biotech/Pharma/Medical Device)

• Mechanical Systems/Chemicals/Manufacturing

• Natural Products

• Outdoor Products

“While 2012 marks the program’s 10th anniversary, innovation has consistently been the heart of Utah’s economy and business sectors,” said Rob Yates, 2012 Utah Innovation Awards’ Co-Chair and Stoel Rives Corporate Partner. “Utah has a very prestigious list of innovative accomplishments and innovating entities, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to bring recognition to today’s innovations.” Click here to review the list of past Utah Innovation Awards honorees.

Nominations are evaluated by a Selection Committee comprised of approximately 70 representatives from private industry, government and higher education, many of whom are experts or professionals in the areas represented. Up to two finalists and one winner may be selected from each category. Award winners will be announced at an Awards Luncheon on May 1, 2012.

The awards program is supported by the Association of Corporate Growth-Utah, MountainWest Capital Network, USTAR, Utah Manufacturers Association, Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Wayne Brown Institute and the Women Tech Council.

Click here for more information about the awards program or to access the online nomination form.

JAPAN'S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT REBOUNDS
Today in Manufacturing
Japan's industrial production rebounded 4 percent in December from November, suggesting the still-weak economy is gaining some steam ... continue