8th Continent Project Recognized By Colorado Legislature

PRLog (Press Release) – May 01, 2008 – GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado General Assembly has recognized the 8th Continent Project and the Colorado School of Mines for their “efforts to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy” through a joint resolution sponsored by State Senator “Moe” Keller and State Representative Gwen Green.

The resolution stated:

“That we, the members of the General Assembly: Salute the 8th Continent Project in its efforts to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy; commend the Colorado School of Mines for its work in establishing the 8th Continent Project as a way to encourage and support entrepreneurs and create jobs for Coloradans; recognize that the 8th Continent Project accelerates the emergence of the space commerce industry and plays a vital role in defining and supporting businesses of the future, in Colorado and around the world; and further commend the 8th Continent Project for organizing "Space 2.0", the emerging generation of entrepreneurial space-related business ventures that will further expand Colorado's global reputation as an international hub for technology and commerce.”

“We are honored and humbled that Sen. Keller and Rep. Green brought this measure before the Colorado General Assembly,” said Burke Fort, executive director of the 8th Continent Project. “Colorado state lawmakers recognize and reaffirm both Colorado’s commitment to the burgeoning Space 2.0 economy and the Colorado School of Mines 134-year tradition of pioneering new frontiers. Colorado has one of the world’s highest concentrations of technology, entrepreneurial and investment talent which makes a unique infrastructure for launching small entrepreneurial aerospace ventures. It is our firm belief that this will strongly position the Colorado economy in the coming years.”
“The Government has invested heavily in space technology and exploration in Colorado over the past half-century through NASA and the military, creating the infrastructure necessary to support the emergence of a dynamic and creative entrepreneurial space community in the State,” noted Dr. Angel Abbud-Madrid, director of the Center for Space Resources at the Colorado School of Mines. “Space technology is becoming inextricably intertwined in the streams of commerce that meet the needs of our modern lifestyle and culture. Supporting further development is a logical step.”

Additionally, 8th Continent Project founding sponsors Colorado School of Mines, Digital Globe Inc., the Colorado Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP intellectual property attorneys, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, the Keiretsu Forum angel investor network, Broad Reach Engineering, MicroSat Systems Inc., and Metzger Associates Public Relations were recognized for their role in building the organization.


About the 8th Continent Project
Based out of Golden, Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines’ 8th Continent Project is the world’s most comprehensive effort to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy. The 8th Continent provides the infrastructure and resources to solve a wide range of challenges from renewable energy development to biomedical advances to global security. Located in Colorado, home of one of the most concentrated entrepreneurial, investor and aerospace talent communities in the world, the 8th Continent Project brings space down to Earth with the industry’s first trade association, business incubator, funding network and research center, all working together to develop the next generation of space-related business ventures. More information can be found at www.8cproject.com.