This afternoon, representatives from University of Iowa Office of Research and Economic Development (OVPR&ED), the City of Iowa City, the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD), and the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted a grand opening of three new economic development resources: MERGE, protostudios and the Translational Research Incubator (TRI).

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced a $1.5 million grant for a cutting-edge biomedical and electronics prototyping hub, called protostudios, to support small businesses and train students in Iowa. Protostudios will be located within downtown Iowa City’s MERGE space in the former Wedge pizzeria on the west side of the Iowa City Public Library building. MERGE, expected to...