(Wasilla) - Representative Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla) responded today to the line item veto for the Mat-Su Valley Nanotech study. "I am disappointed funding for this study was not provided in this year’s capitol budget. This was an excellent opportunity for Alaska to show high tech companies that we are open for business. Other states have recognized these new high tech companies represent the future of industry. They work hard to assure those companies seriously consider where to locate." Kohring said.

The $100,000 appropriation would have provided funds to study the potential of nanotech production in the Valley. It would have also established seed money for acquiring private financing.

One nanotech company has already shown interest in the Mat-Su Borough, and loss of the funds does not necessarily mean they will look elsewhere. "We constantly hear that Alaska needs to diversify its economy. Nanotech certainly falls into that category." Kohring concluded.

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