SSTI Digest

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley recently announced a plan to launch an advanced robotics research, training and education center to prepare workers for the robotics industry and attract high-tech employers to the state. Calhoun Community College in Decatur will host the $71 million center, in partnership with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Gov. Riley first proposed the robotics campus in 2006 and believes the center will help increase the state’s profile as a leader in the robotics industry. In addition to training facilities, the center will also provide support for the applied research activities of Redstone Arsenal, which houses several U.S. Army directorates, and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
 
The Advanced Technology Robotics Research and Development Complex will be a collaborative project, supported by the state of Alabama, the state’s community college system, Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) and partners from the private sector. Current plans call for a Robotic Maintenance Training Center, an Advanced Technology Research and Development Center, and an Integration and Entrepreneurial Center to be rolled out over the next few years.
 
The first component, the Robotic Maintenance Training Center, will begin operations within 18 months and cost between $14 million and $15 million. The state will contribute $8 million in interest-bearing bond proceeds for the project, with another $7 million to $8 million from the Department of Post-Secondary Education and local governments. Private robotics companies, including Omoron and Mitsubishi, plan to contribute $40 million in robotics equipment for the center, as well as supplying trainers for the program. The center is expected to train 450 students each year.
 
The second two installations are expected to cost $7 million to $8 million each and be rolled out within a “reasonable” period, accounting for changes in the economic climate. The Advanced Technology Research and Development Center would be used by the NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command to develop and test new robotics technologies for space exploration and military applications. Existing robotics companies would also be able to use the facilities for testing purposes. The Integration and Entrepreneurial Center would provide facilities for new companies to test their software and equipment and to train new workers.
 
Read Gov. Riley’s announcement about the center at: http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2008-06-09-01-robotics_research-photo.asp

As annual appropriations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) flattened – at the same time more and more states and universities are increasing their investments in academic bioscience research capacity – competition for NIH grants has heightened. Reports indicate investigators in the early stages of their careers and transformative research have been the victims of the squeeze.
 
The peer review process employed by NIH to select winners in competitive solicitation cycles, lauded for its impartiality for years, has been indicted by many recently as adding to the problem. During the first weeks of June, NIH announced plans to address some of the criticism, including a commitment of  $1 billion over the next five years for investigator-initiated, high-risk/high-impact transformative research.
 
The institutes also are making significant changes to enhance and improve the NIH peer review system. This marks the end of a year-long effort to determine ways to further enrich the process, which drew on thousands of comments, opinions and criticisms received throughout the year.
 
The Implementation Plan Report consists of four main priorities, with highlights including:

The Aerospace, Manufacturing and Information Technology (AMIT) Cluster of Southern Arizona has consolidated its operations with the Arizona Technology Council.

Legislators in Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee recently approved spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year. Highlights of appropriations supporting TBED are included below.
 
Alabama
Alabama legislators wrapped up a special session over the weekend resulting in the passage of a $6.4 billion education budget. Lawmakers agreed to a $5 million increase ($40.8 million total) for the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. The appropriation is $5 million less than Gov. Bob Riley’s recommendation of $45.8 million. The initiative, which received a substantial boost during the last legislative session (see the June 13, 2007 issue of the Digest), was created in 2002 to improve math and science education throughout the state.
 
South Carolina
Legislators supported the governor’s recommendation to fund the Endowed Chairs program, providing $10 million in FY09. The endowment program was created in 2002 to receive $30 million per year from lottery profits through 2010. A bill to extend the matching endowment program indefinitely by allowing interest earnings from the fund to be used for programmatic support, H. 4494, did not make it out of conference committee, however.
 
Lawmakers did, however, pass S.1252, a bill allowing the interest earnings from the Centers of Excellence Matching Endowment Fund to be used at the Research Centers of Excellence Review Board’s discretion for additional state awards.
 
Gov. Sanford vetoed a major priority of the state’s three research universities -- $4.5 million to implement SC LightRail, a high speed data network connecting the universities and three partner hospitals. The governor reduced funding for the project by $2.1 million from the General Appropriations bill and $2.4 million from the Capital Reserve Fund Appropriations bill. In his veto message, Gov. Sanford stated that the research universities have other ways to complete the project, specifically through their carry-forward and reserve accounts.
 
Hydrogen research grants were cut by $2.5 million for FY09. Gov. Sanford relayed the same veto message as last year when the grants were also cut, stating that while he is supportive of hydrogen research, tangible results are first needed for the investments already made. Additionally, the governor held his position stating, “We don’t believe the role of the government is to lead the private sector.”

The Beaver County (Pa.) CO-OP announced it will change its name to StartingGate. The incubator will continue to assist entrepreneurs and new business start-ups and help expand existing businesses.

The fifth installment of the Tech Talkin’ Gov’s series includes highlights from State of the State Addresses delivered in Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota and Wyoming.

 

Alabama

Gov. Bob Riley, State of the State Address, Feb. 6, 2008

“We can and must accelerate the growth of broadband service, especially to the rural areas of our state. And so tonight I am announcing the Alabama Internet Initiative with a goal of ensuring that every home and every business in our state has high-speed Internet access and will have it within the next four years.”

 

Connecticut

Gov. Jodi Rell, State of the State Address, Feb. 6, 2008

“The creation of jobs is always one of our top priorities. And at a time like this, with economic storm clouds on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that we focus on economic development. For that reason, I am recommending $500,000 in operating funds and $5 million in capital funds to support the field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology draws upon our strengths in the fields of biology and chemistry and is an economic driver in manufacturing and biotechnology. I want Connecticut to be a national leader in nanotechnology. …

 

“… Right now small businesses are responsible for creating the vast majority of new and replacement jobs in our state. To help these entrepreneurs, my budget provides for the outright repeal of the business entity tax. 



“Connecticut’s economy will need quality skilled nurses and engineers to fill its current and future labor needs. …

 

“… I am also recommending $300,000 for an engineering loan reimbursement program to engineers who work in our State.”

 

Minnesota

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, State of the State Address, Feb. 13, 2008

“We need to reduce taxes and regulations that discourage job growth, income generation, investment, entrepreneurial activity, research, and exports. We’ll need to do that in a manner that also leaves us with a stable budget.

 

“Our current tax system reflects the economy and demographics of the 1960s. It’s outdated and needs to be fixed. So I’m announcing that I will create the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission that will recommend tax reforms for our 21st century economy. ... This commission will specifically focus on improving our job climate by reforming Minnesota’s tax laws. Job providers, entrepreneurs, private sector employees, investors, and others who actually have direct experience in creating private sector jobs will be members of this commission. …

 

“… We also need to support entrepreneurs and small businesses because they are so vitally important to our economy. They create the vast majority of new jobs. That is why I’m asking the Legislature to approve my Strategic Entrepreneurial Economic Development, or 'SEED' initiative. …

 

“… I’m grateful that last year the Legislature included funding for our regional math and science academies. However, we did not receive the amount needed or requested. … I am asking that the funding for these academies be increased by 50 percent over the current budget level. I am also proposing that we design and deploy a world-leading summer training institute for Minnesota’s math and science teachers.”

 

Wyoming

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, State of the State Address, Feb. 11, 2008

“I would encourage you to favorably consider two bills being offered by the Judiciary Committee with regard to carbon capture and carbon sequestration. …

 

“… We are asking for a significant contribution out of the Abandoned Mine Land money account ... to be allocated to carbon capture, carbon sequestration efforts, development of clean coal and advancement of the School of Energy Resources.

 

“Most prominent among those is an agreement which we have -- tentative agreement which we have struck with General Electric which is for them to be a partner with the University of Wyoming and with the State of Wyoming in the development of coal conversion technologies and in the development of carbon capture and in the development of sequestration. These are significant efforts and ones that I hope you will support. …

 

“… I hope that you will look on the $20 million request for what it is, which is it is a down payment on the future of this state and a down payment on the future of the coal industry in Wyoming.”

Heinz Endowments in Pittsburgh tapped Bomani Howze to help run its two-person Innovation Economy program.

Fans of sound public policy may have celebrated last year’s complete elimination of congressional earmarks on the FY 2007 budget. With the rapid growth over the past decade in the percent of discretionary federal spending arriving with strings attached, the idea there would be no more multi-million-dollar bridges to nowhere, indoor rainforests on the great plains and other gems seemed too good to be true. And it was, apparently, as draft FY08 budget bills surfacing in both chambers reveal.

 

The plus side of earmarks, besides keeping a small army of lobbyists employed, is that sometimes they can provide funds to support research and TBED initiatives. For example, following is an overview of recent federal earmarks from across the nation that were included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. Whether or not the bill actually passes the full Congress before late winter or next spring remains to be seen.

 

Alabama

Sen. Richard Selby (R-AL) announced funding for several projects included in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the Highway and Transit Reauthorization Bill. The Cummings Research Park Intermodal Center is slated to receive $1.3 million to construct an Intermodal facility in the research park. Additionally, $500,000 is earmarked for University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) transportation, infrastructure and logistics research. Funds will be used to enhance UAH’s office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Logistics work on assessing and improving transportation logistics in the state.

 

Arkansas

Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Mark Pryor (D-AR) announced a proposed $600,000 appropriation to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for completion of the business support incubator. Funding will assist the Economic Research and Development Center in completing Phase II of the business support incubator project, a 16,000-square-foot building that houses offices for the Economic Research and Development Center.

 

Kansas

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) announced proposed funding for the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, including $2 million for advanced materials research and $1 million for small aircraft aging research.

 

Michigan

Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced a $4 million appropriation for Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) for bus and bus facility enhancements. MTA is partnering with Kettering University and Michigan State University to use hybrid and fuel cell technologies in their bus fleet. Additional earmarks within the Appropriations bill include $1 million for Pinnacle Aeropark, a 1,300-acre mixed-use business development park and $200,000 for renovations at TechTown to redevelop a distressed community and create a training and business technology incubator.

 

North Dakota

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) announced funding for several projects included in the Appropriations bill, including $4.5 million for a precision manufacturing facility to provide specifically fabricated parts to Army units in the U.S. and $3.5 million for Universal Description, Discovery and Integration, a project that will allow Minot’s InfoTech to provide for the first time a single web-based location where the Department of Defense can access military databases around the world, while still protecting sensitive data.



University of North Dakota’s (UND) Center of Excellence for Defense UAV Education is slated to receive $4 million to support research that will help improve the nation’s unmanned aircraft systems. Also included is $2 million for UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center to develop new types of cleaner, more efficient fuels for the U.S. military. Researchers will work to develop a system to produce hydrogen fuel and an assortment of liquid fuels that are produced from coal and biomass.

 

More than $18 million is included for various technology development projects at North Dakota State University.

Nonprofit entities in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington will receive $13.2 million over six years for training and incentive programs for Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-Advanced Placement Programs. The grants will be used for extensive training of teachers, identification of lead teachers, additional "time on task" for students, and financial incentives based on academic results.



The funding is coming from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), which was launched in March 2007 in response to the National Academies Rising Above the Gathering Storm report that calls for improving American students' performance in math and science to increase global competitiveness.



In addition to the AP grants, NMSI is expected to award funds to up to 10 universities for UTeach programs, which encourage math and science majors to pursue teaching credentials during their undergraduate course study.



Among NMSI's funders are Exxon Mobil Corporation, with a $125 million contribution, and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.



More information on NMSI is available at: http://www.nationalmathandscience.org

Dr. Daryush Ila, head of the Alabama A&M University Research Institute, was elected to serve as the executive director of the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee.

John Weete, president and executive director of the West Virginia University Research Corp., was named executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation. Weete starts his new position Sept. 1.

Dr. Russ Lea has been named vice president for research at the University of South Alabama.