WASHINGTON – Congressman Rothfus (PA-12) congratulates Pittsburgh-based Innovation Works as one of four recipients of the Department of Energy’sAmerican Inventions Made (AIM) Onshore Prize competition. Innovation Works will receive a $150,000 grant to support collaboration between U.S. innovators who develop new energy technologies and the domestic manufacturers who produce them.

“Pittsburgh area entrepreneurs are a driving force in economic development, technological innovation, and job creation,” said Congressman Rothfus. “Innovation Works’ mission to provide direct investment and strategic business services to southwestern Pennsylvania’s technology-based entrepreneurs, researchers, and small manufacturers makes them an ideal beneficiary of this award. I was proud to support Innovation Works and look forward to following their use of these resources to continue helping Western Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry flourish.”

“Innovation Works is extremely grateful for the support that Congressman Rothfus has provided both on this prize competition and to support entrepreneurs in general,” said Bob Starzynski, Director of Business Development for Innovation Works. “We are proud of our work in helping entrepreneurs connect with local manufacturing supply chains and we appreciate the Department of Energy interests in expanding this work in the energy sector.”

The AIM Offshore grant award is meant to coach U.S. scientists and engineers about basic manufacturing processes and product design. Congressman Rothfus wrote a letter in support of the Innovation Works application.