Hitcents.com, a client of the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization Center housed in the WKU Center for Research and Development in Bowling Green, was given preliminary approval by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for up to $150,000 to assist in purchasing IT infrastructure equipment, such as servers and data storage components. The project will create 10 new high-tech jobs for the Bowling Green area.
Hitcents currently employs 33 people and was founded in 1999 to create website advertising for other Internet companies. Hitcents originally produced website advertising and has expanded into hardware and software development and other IT-related projects. In August 2007 Hitcents was named to the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America.
Hitcents has expanded into software development and other information technology-related projects, partnering with Pan-Oston in 2006 to develop a self-service store checkout device. The company also developed the Omniprise ERP solution that helps companies reduce waste and increase productivity.
“It has been a pleasure to work in the state of Kentucky over the last 11 years,” said Hitcents CFO Ed Mills. “The competitive salary in Kentucky, coupled with the support of Western Kentucky University’s Center for Research and Development, allows us to develop state-of-the-art technology at a fraction of the average price nationwide.”
The WKU Center for Research and Development provides state-of-the-art research facilities as well as access to world-class applied research centers and scientists. The Center encourages and guides technology-based business start-ups and facilitates the growth of existing businesses to the next level.
Pharmacogenetics Diagnostic Laboratory LLC, a client of the Louisville Innovation and Commercialization Center, was also given preliminary approval by KEDFA for up to $200,000 to assist in purchasing laboratory equipment. Both company founders are on the faculty at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
“Hitcents and PGXL are excellent examples of how our universities across the state are involved in helping create and support high-tech companies and jobs,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “By facilitating local and regional entrepreneurial activities and helping commercialize new technologies developed through research, Kentucky universities serve as powerful economic engines that help drive our state forward.”
The economic development project was funded by the Cabinet for Economic Development’s High-Tech Investment Pool. The pool is used to support technology-based and research-intensive companies and projects in the Commonwealth. Kentucky’s statewide network of six Innovation and Commercialization Centers (ICCs), including the Bowling Green ICC, and seven Innovation Centers (ICs), provides locally accessible, business-building consulting and related services to the state’s high-tech entrepreneurs and inventors.
More information about Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.
Contact: Doug Rohrer, (270) 901-3490.
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