A local university building, not quite completed, already has gained state recognition and financial backing.

Collegiate scientific think tanks, called “incubators,” have been on Missouri campuses for many years. And several incubators are recognized by the state as “innovation centers.”

Missouri Western State University now has one of its own.

As construction winds down on the Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator, the building last week earned a state designation of “innovation center,” the 10th such center in the state, said Dr. Gary Clapp, president and CEO of Western’s Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences.

“The story goes back about 14 months,” Dr. Clapp said, explaining the process of applying for the designation through the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC). The MTC, utilizing funds from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, oversees the funding of Missouri’s 10 innovation centers.

The approval comes with a promise of state funds for fiscal year 2009.

Dr. Clapp said because of efforts made by Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, the innovation center is in line to receive a proposed $100,000 that will be used for operational costs. Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, backed the measure as well.

“The funding will help by helping to provide additional services that we would have had to search out or pay for another way,” Dr. Clapp said.

Student internships are expected to be a part of the incubator and innovation center, as is a training lab where students will get a taste of how actual scientific laboratories are operated.

The intention is to attract companies with innovative ideas that can be developed at the incubator. Dr. Clapp said the companies they are courting have a slant toward agribusiness, alternative energy, animal health and human health. “I think we’ll see the first clients in there before the end of summer,” he said.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com.