Incubator Nominates Winner of Entrepreneurial Award

Titusville, Fla.- July 21, 2004- American Services Technology, Inc. (ASTI), an aerospace provider and former client of the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (FNBIC), won the 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award after being nominated by the FNBIC in the category of "Realizing Business Potential." The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to Florida's entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in their area of appointment.

ASTI was a graduate of the FNBIC in 1998, and has grown more than 736% in the last five years, acquiring revenues of $7.2 million in 2002. The company opened in 1996 with two employees and currently has a staff of 55 people. ASTI has been ranked among the top 500 small businesses in the country and the 500 fastest growing private companies in the United States by Inc. 500.

"Moses and his team represent a true incubation success story," says Incubator Network Director, Heidi Brandow. "Incubation focuses on establishing a solid foundation and accelerating growth. Clearly, the growth ASTI experienced is directly connected to the nurturing environment and networking FNBIC has to offer."

Early-stage companies entering incubation programs are given a competitive advantage in the business world. A study conducted by the National Business Incubation Association shows 87% of incubator graduates remain in business. Visit www.nbia.org for more information.

TRDA manages a statewide network of incubators including the Carrie P. Meek Center for Business in Homestead and the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center in

Titusville. An incubator is under development in Melbourne with an expected opening in 2006. The network offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to build a solid business by leveraging shared resources such as access to venture capital, business mentoring, marketing, technology support services, and affordable office space.

For more information on becoming an on-site or affiliate client in the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center, contact Heidi Brandow or Bonnie O'Regan at 321.267.5601. Visit us on the Web at www.trda.org/fnbic.