The Busbee Center for Global Economic Development & Innovation strengthens Georgia Tech’s mission to help shape the state’s economic future.

President Wayne Clough said the center, which opened in November in Technology Square, sharpens the Institute’s focus on developing successful industry and creating a global business network.

“Technology Square is a key element in Georgia Tech’s progress toward defining the technological university of the 21st century. By marrying academic research and development with the government and private agencies that can help them grow, Georgia will be able to lead the world in the knowledge industries that will breed success,” Clough said.

Named in honor of former Georgia Gov. George D. Busbee, the center represents a new partnership among the state’s economic development agencies, intellectual resources and training facilities. It is designed to promote coordination, communication and cooperation among the state’s governmental entities, academic institutions and private industries engaged in the development of Georgia’s businesses and work force.

Members of the center from Georgia Tech are the Advanced Technology Development Center, the Economic Development Institute, VentureLab, the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, the College of Management and the Global Learning Center. Other members are the Georgia Center for Advanced Telecommunications Technology, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, the Georgia Economic Development Association, the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, Georgia Power Co., the Georgia Resource Center, the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, Hemisphere Inc., the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, the Technology Square Research Building, the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Trade Assistance Program and the United Nations Training and Research Institute.