North Texas RCIC Awarded the Innovation Catalyst Award at the 2011 Dallas Regional Momentum Awards

Dallas, Texas – The North Texas RCIC was awarded the Innovation Catalyst award at the 2011 Dallas Regional Momentum Awards on October 12, 2011 at The Fairmont Dallas Hotel. The Dallas Regional Chamber hosted over 600 key regional and national corporate and legislative leaders attended for the award luncheon. The Momentum Awards celebrate companies and organizations that have made a positive impact on the economy and honor companies and organizations that contribute to the vitality of the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

The North Texas RCIC was recognizing for their positive impact within the Dallas/Fort Worth region through investing in entrepreneurship and growing strong, competitive communities. The North Texas RCIC has been in existence for six years, identifying technology based entrepreneurial ventures for investment from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) and expanding research opportunities within regional universities. A total of 40 companies have received funding from the Texas ETF totaling over $53 million for the North Texas region.

Other awardees included Qantas Airways and Texas Instruments receiving the Global Catalysts award, the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce and the Perot Museum of Nature & Science receiving the Community Catalysts award. MoneyGram received the Corporate Headquarters Location award for relocating its corporate headquarters from St. Louis Park, MN to Dallas. USAA was awarded the Corporate Facility Location award, announcing plans to lease a 60,000 square foot office in Addison, and their plans to invest $4.2 million in tenant improvements and $3.4 million in capital investment. The Job Growth award was awarded to TriQuint for their 100% plus local employment increase and adding 400 jobs from 2009-2011. Speakers for the event were Nicole Ginsburg Small, CEO, Museum of Nature and Science and Forrest E. Hoglund, Chairman, Museum of Nature & Science Expansion Capital Campaign.

About the Momentum Awards:

Established in 2003, the Momentum Awards celebrate companies and organizations that have made a positive impact on the economy through job growth, location and expansion activities. The awards also honor companies and organizations that contribute to the vitality of the Dallas Fort Worth region. www.dallaschamber.org