Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean

Those wishing for more R&D parks in Davidson County might take a close look at the 28th Avenue Connector project, among the highlights in Mayor Dean's recent State of Metro Address, here.

The Oak Ridge-based Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association (ETEBA) appointed lawyer Nithin Akuthota (left) its new executive director. Akuthota was previously federal legislation director for Kutak Rock LLP, in Washington, D.C., and earlier was a policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures. He earned his J.D. at the University of Cincinnati and his undergrad at Ohio State. Nonprofit ETEBA supports companies that provide environmental, technology, energy, engineering and construction services to government and commercial clients.

Tennessee-based Miller Energy Resources says it's launching $20MM energy-asset acquisition and development campaign, through a private-placement effort by Cali.-based Empire Securities.

Smokefree Innotec, the Nashville firm pushing an e-cigarette, says it has distribution now in Germany and in Benelux, Greece. Earlier, VNC story on Innotec.

Digital Reasoning Systems (DRS), Brentwood, says its software for unstructured data analytics is now on GSA procurement schedule.

American Hospital Assn. says 75 percent of hospitals surveyed are cutting or stalling med-tech and IT projects. MDN.

nTelagent's touts "cash register" self-care payment management system. Competitor Passport Health features its Batchsource offering.

Vanderbilt, UT scientists among DOE energy 'Frontier' researchers whose work could improve advanced batteries. VU Institute for Software Integrated Services (ISIS) Prof. Gabor Karsai is led in a $187K NASA grant for 'software health management', related to software performance and fault recovery.

Memphis investment forum set for June 19. Recent LaunchMemphis' TechFuel drew tech entrepreneurs.

ETN-based Saratoga Technologies made its 14th IT acquisition, this time in Pigeon Forge.

Vanderbilt University licensee sues oncology-treatment technology inventor over noncompete protections, NashvillePost.

Lora Stevenson Obrohta, previously with the Dolphini Networks and her own IT services firm, has joined The Horizon Group, as a project manager and director of strategic initiatives.

Knoxville's Idleaire joins ImagePoint in the bankruptcy queue. KNS.

Stanford Financial: $1 Billion in cash may be unaccounted for. MDN.

EPB broadband plans still viewed as illegitimate by Comcast CEO in Chattanooga. TFP.

Three tech companies now reside in new Halcyon Commercialization Center in ORNL sci-tech park. OR.

In Chattanooga tech-transfer speech, Yale tech-transfer exec touts student entrepreneurship. TFP.

Nissan announced Oak Ridge NL partnership for zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure. VW exec hails Chattanooga as 'cradle of creative innovation', Chamber/CTC honor innovators.

Oak Ridge NL and Huntsville, Ala., groups create partnership office. Tennessee Valley Corridor Economic Summit at ORNL is May 27-29. Agenda here.

Site Selection applauds Tennessee's clean-energy economic-development strategy.

Informatics Corporation of America says its CareAlign technology can help target pandemic disease. Earlier VNC story on ICA.

Belmont University's pro-bootstrapping Jeff Cornwall breaks the news of Belmont's two-year host stint for the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Cornwall also reports BU students' wins in collegiate competition.

ORNL nano-director Linda Horton's departure for senior DOE post prompts some comment-sniping at Battelle. KNS.

Memphians eye Indiana town competing for orthopedic manufacturing job-training leadership. MDN. ♦