We’ve negotiated an extraordinary room rate for this year’s conference: $209 plus nominal taxes and fees at the conference venue, the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in the Gila River Indian Community within the Phoenix, Arizona Metro Region. But our negotiated rate expires once the room block fills or after Monday, November 18.

Forty-one states and Puerto Rico voted on 151 statewide ballot measures this fall. Many measures focused on abortion, citizenship, or electoral system reforms. Three measures with direct connection to innovation all were approved by voters, augmenting the strong track record tech-based economic development initiatives have when they are placed directly before voters. The three measures were for vocational-technical school scholarships in Arkansas, a $25 million R&D bond issue in Maine, and a $160.5 million higher ed facilities bond bill in Rhode Island. Voters have previously approved R&D bond measures in Maine and Rhode Island. SSTI highlights more information on those and other initiatives that could have or will impact economic development in individual states.

About three-quarters of Americans (76%) say they have either a great deal (26%) or a fair amount (51%) of confidence in scientists to act in the best interests of the public, according to a new Pew Research Center report. These ratings are a slight improvement over the results of a similar Pew survey in 2023 when 73% said they had either a great deal or a fair amount of confidence in scientists, and represent a halt in decline in scientists' public image seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. (SSTI covered that survey here.)

The TBED community, similarly to research scientists, faces communication challenges with elected officials, regional stakeholders, and even their friends and family. SSTI has conducted three surveys over the last nine years to uncover problematic jargon, illuminate alternative approaches, and inform our members’ communication strategies. At the SSTI Annual Conference, we'll present the latest results from a focus group and survey that will help the community communicate better with non-TBED audiences. Learn more about the conference here.

The Wisconsin Center of Manufacturing & Productivity (WCMP) recently released its fourth annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, a comprehensive overview of the state's manufacturing sector. While the survey is specific to Wisconsin and manufacturing, the 58-page report will be of interest to policymakers across the country for possible replication, critical insights into concerns that manufacturers are experiencing, and guidance to manufacturers in other states to apply to their own situations.

The Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program is often compared to the U.S. Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. And, like the SBIR program, ISC has faced criticism from skeptics despite metrics that show the program delivers high returns on investment. When Canada’s Budget 2023 Initiative recommended reallocating 14.1 billion Canadian dollars (CAD) in federal spending, each Ministry was tasked to identify programs that did not address the government’s top priorities. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) identified ISC as one such program. ISC’s budget of 147.6 million CAD in fiscal year 2023 was trimmed by 28.2 million CAD in 2024-25 and 70 million CAD annually thereafter.

NATCAST, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) tasked with bolstering the United States' semiconductor industry, announced Albany NY and Sunnyvale CA as the locations for two major R&D facilities. The funding comes from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, legislation aimed at revitalizing American semiconductor manufacturing and research.