For 25 years, Ben Franklin has promoted job growth

We are used to hearing about Pennsylvania jobs moving south and U.S. high technology jobs moving off shore. Forrester Research predicted in 2003 that by 2015, 3.3 million U.S. service industry jobs and $136 billion in wages will move offshore to countries like India, Russia, China and the Philippines. Twenty years prior to the Forrester Report, the Commonwealth was already taking measures not only to prevent the loss of jobs in Pennsylvania but also to increase higher paying jobs in the coveted technology sector. This year Pennsylvania celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners initiative -- which has become the gold standard of technology based economic development programs with other states such as New York modeling their own program after ours.

As a prime sponsor, along with former representative and mayor of Pittsburgh Tom Murphy, I stood by Gov. Dick Thornburgh 25 years ago as he signed into legislation the act that created what is now known as the Ben Franklin Technology Partners. At the time, we envisioned great things. The new program was designed to fuel Pennsylvania's technology economy by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and providing financial, business and infrastructure building support. We never imagined a return on investment of 23-to-1 on every state dollar invested.

Ben Franklin has evolved, responding to market shifts and anticipating future needs, into one of the most highly regarded and longest-running programs in the country dedicated to growing a state's technology-based economy. Embraced by five different Pennsylvania governors and the Pennsylvania General Assembly since its inception, Ben Franklin remains America's gold standard for state and regional technology-based economic development programs.

Tens of thousands of jobs have been created and retained in industries that pay roughly 28 percent higher than the average salary in Pennsylvania. Thousands of promising companies have been touched, many going on to become global leaders or revolutionize entire industries. Ben Franklin continues to facilitate the much-needed bridge to follow-on capital for high-growth companies through close working relationships with individual investors and venture capitalists, and in the process has helped companies with which they work secure billions in follow-on financing.

Ben Franklin continues to partner to create business-critical infrastructure initiatives that fuel tomorrow's innovation. Efforts like the Powdered Metals Initiative, which earned a U.S. Department of Commerce recognition award, brought sound, research-based, market-driven economic development initiatives to central and northern Pennsylvania.

And, there is the Ben Franklin Business Incubator Network, a 10-member network that nurtures promising technology-oriented start ups. This network includes the Ben Franklin Business Incubator, winner of the national Incubator of the Year award in 2001. To address the growing appetite for incubator space and affordable wet laboratory facilities in the northeastern part of our state, this award-winning incubator recently expanded by opening Ben Franklin TechVentures, a state-of-the-art, 62,000-square-foot facility in Bethlehem. It's nearly full already.

Inter-state partnerships like MANA, the Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance, that leverage our resources with those of neighboring states to create high-paying jobs in the commonwealth. MANA is an outgrowth of the Nanotechnology Institute launched in southeastern PA, itself a national model showcased in a report of the National Nanotechnology Initiative.

Ben Franklin also helps traditional manufacturers innovate to be more competitive in the global marketplace. For example, the Innovation Adoption Grant program links manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania with the region's Centers of Excellence, giving them access to highly specialized scientists and engineers for product engineering and design, robotic assembly, machinery design, rapid prototyping, or even analysis and overhaul of existing manufacturing processes.

I am proud of how Ben Franklin has evolved, and emulation is the highest form of flattery. Recently, New York State pledged to remodel its system for funneling state aid to technology and biotech companies along our model. With four regional headquarters and 12 satellite offices, Ben Franklin is better able to build on regional strengths, capitalize on new opportunities and address the needs of diverse communities. But while other states may emulate us, they won't be able to catch us.

As we look forward to the next 25 years, I expect more great things. We are seeing exciting advances in alternative and clean energy, bio sciences and nanotechnology. So, I say happy 25th anniversary to the Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Their namesake would be most proud. As he once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Our program is proof positive, but it warrants and requires everyone's sustained support in order to continue to fulfill its potential.

Rick Geist from Altoona is Republican chairman of the state House Transportation Committee.