Bill earmarks federal funding for defense research

The Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 is on its way to the U.S. Senate and, if passed there, must be reconciled with the House version before taking effect.

The bill includes $4 million for the start of Phase II of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center, which will house companies that perform research in nanotechnology and other sciences. The project’s $12.4 million, seven-story Phase I, currently under construction, is expected to be complete by the middle of next year.

“When Phase I opens, it will be teaming with companies producing technological advancements in biology, engineering, electronics, manufacturing and chemistry,” said Congressman Roy Blunt, who sought the local funding, in a news release.

The bill also earmarks funding for two of JVIC’s tenants. Brewer Science is slated to receive $3 million for development of next-generation electronics, and Nantero Inc. would receive $9 million to research ways of strengthening U.S. space facilities against radiation.

Two companies in Joplin – Gestalt Inc. and EaglePicher Technologies – are included in the appropriation as well.

Gestalt would pick up $10 million to expand timing, bandwidth services and management techniques throughout the military. EaglePicher would receive $3.5 million to produce high-voltage and high-current batteries now needed by the military.