FEATURE STORY: WET Center partnerships with Fresno State
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Those looking to start or expand their business can get help from the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator, or WET Center, according to Helle Petersen, who handles business development at the center, which is located on campus at 2911 E. Barstow Ave.
Located just across the street from the Fresno State Farm Market, the WET Center is the product of a partnership between Fresno State, the International Center for Water Technology, and the Central Valley business incubators.
One part of the WET Center is the lab facility, which is run by ICWT and well known for expertise within fluid mechanics and hydrology. It has a state-of-the-art pumping facility and testing facility. The whole building is powered by solar energy.
"There are several parts to the wet center," Petersen says. "We are very proud to be partners with Fresno State and we look at it as a mutual opportunity for both Fresno State and for us to really grow this region and make the most of the talent we have here and the businesses we have here."
Petersen, a graduate of Fresno State, says that she's excited to be involved in helping Valley businesses through the WET Center, which has been launching startup companies and existing companies since 2007.
"I moved here to Fresno, eight years ago from Denmark, and I got into the Craig School of Business on their executive MBA program right when I arrived. So I’m an alumna of Fresno State," she says.
At the WET Center, Petersen focuses on providing information and resources that make Valley businesses a success.
"We are taking entrepreneurs or other existing businesses that want to accelerate within their business. We make sure they get equipped with all the right tools to grow to really successful businesses," Petersen says.
Petersen also focuses on creating career options for talented individuals in the Valley, such as the students who graduate from Fresno State, so they have more high quality companies to work for right here in the Valley.
"One of the things that has already come out of our partnership is that we have been helpful in determining a way the private industry and the university can come together in promoting water economy and jobs," says Petersen. "That is something that is going to benefit this region and really make a footprint — not only for the state of California, but hopefully nationally as well.
For more, visit http://wet.cvbi.org/.
Click here for a transcript (.doc)
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