Utah small business receives $100,000 from EPA to develop environmental technologies

PROVO, Utah — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it would be awarding over $3 million to 30 small businesses across the country, including $100,000 to Provo’s IsoTruss Inc. to develop environmental technologies.

“As emerging technologies continue to rapidly change the world, our nation’s small businesses are at the forefront of harnessing these technologies to address today’s environmental challenges,” said Wayne Cascio, acting principal deputy assistant administrator in the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “We are excited to watch these small companies bring innovative ideas to the marketplace and help revolutionize improving our environment, public health and the economy.”

IsoTruss uses composite materials to construct eco-friendly towers for a fraction of the cost. According to their website, “IsoTruss is a composite structure with the performance and weight advantages of expensive aerospace materials yet creates structural solutions that are cheaper than steel.”

 The EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program hosts an annual, two-phase competition for small business funding. Phase I funding provides $100,000 to 30 small businesses to be used for their proposed technology.

They were given a Phase I award for sustainable materials management “for a reinforced concrete foundation for telecommunication towers to increase resiliency to natural disasters. “

Companies who complete a Phase I award will be eligible to apply for Phase II funding of up to $400,000 to further commercialize and develop their technology.

“EPA is providing these research and technology funds to companies addressing our most pressing environmental and human health priorities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We are pleased to support these Colorado and Utah businesses as they apply their expertise to develop innovative products and systems that will make our communities safer and healthier.”