LCCMR 2020 Proposal 
Expanding Protection of Minnesota Water through Industrial Conservation 
Regents of the University of Minnesota 
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program 
 
Project Manager Qualifications 
Laura Babcock, Ph.D. has been the Director of the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) since 2011. Prior to her position at MnTAP, Laura spent 20 years in industrial process technology roles including research, product and process development. Laura manages the MnTAP organization providing technical leadership to staff which includes 12 full time staff members and 12-18 student interns and administratively manages a grant sponsored budget of $1.3 million per year. MnTAP is a grant funded program in the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Studies that provides no-cost technical assistance to industries and communities across the state to improve environmental outcomes and business performance. Laura has extensive experience managing the technical and administrative activities of environmentally focused assistance project that generate implemented results. Past history of MnTAP annual grant performance is summarized in our annual IMPACT environmental benefits reports posted on the MnTAP website - http://www.mntap.umn.edu/resources/publications/impact/. 

Organization Description 
The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is an outreach program at the University of Minnesota that helps Minnesota businesses develop and implement industry-tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and costs to improve public health and the environment. 

MnTAP staff members provide no-cost, confidential, industry-tailored technical assistance. By reducing waste and increasing efficiency, clients can save on disposal and raw material costs and decrease regulatory compliance burdens as well as create healthier and safer working conditions while reducing environmental impacts. 

Established in 1984, MnTAP is grant funded in part by a pass-through grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Resource Management and Assistance Division to the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences. Other grants come from partners including Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, Metropolitan Council, counties and other local units of government, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and energy utilities. As part of the University, MnTAP has no regulatory responsibilities or obligations allowing us to work closely and confidentially with a variety of businesses throughout the state. MnTAP typically provides technical assistance to over 200 companies per year. In the past 5 years, MnTAP has conducted technical assistance activities in 74 of the 87 Minnesota counties and actively seeks opportunities to provide service to all regions of Minnesota.