SSTI Digest

Geography: Arizona

People

Science Foundation Arizona, a new nonprofit organization, has named Bill Harris as its director.

People

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council recently hired Jim Hudson as vice president of strategy.

Arizona Approves $35M Tech Fund; Strong Public Support for S&T

Making the single largest TBED related investment in its history, the Arizona legislature approved and Gov. Janet Napolitano signed the state's FY 2006-07 budget, which includes $35 million for the new Arizona 21st Century Competitive Initiative Fund. HB 2477 is the successor in concept to the Innovation Arizona fund proposed by Gov. Napolitano during her State-of-the-State Address earlier this year. The new fund will support scientific, medical and engineering research programs and infrastructure in targeted fields, particularly biosciences.



Despite its size, the $35 million investment is only 70 percent of the funding sought by bioscience groups and many legislators. The original bill called for $50 million during FY 2006-07 and $100 million over the next four years. An article in the Arizona Republic reports that the amount was scaled back despite private offers to match a larger state investment. State business groups, represented by the Greater Phoenix Leadership, continued to object to the allocation because it draws $15 million from the Arizona Job Training Fund for the coming year. Supporters maintain there are sufficient funds for both programs. The Governor's Office has said that the push for additional bioscience funding will continue in upcoming years.



In 2000, the state earmarked $1 billion over 20 years for university research and K-12 education through Proposition 301. Funding from that program has led to the establishment of advanced biodesign research facilities at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. The current measure will augment those efforts by attracting world-class researchers and funding technology commercialization at state universities.



A recent survey of Arizona residents reveals strong popular support for these statewide science and technology initiatives. The phone survey of 793 heads of households, conducted by the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University, concludes that regardless of age, gender or income, Arizonans expect science and technology to create high-paying jobs and drive economic development. According to the survey, 87 percent of Arizonans believe science and technology lead to the creation of high-paying jobs, and 84 percent think science and technology play important roles in economic development.



The report is good news for state business groups attempting to find political support for research funding. Sixty-three percent said that they were more likely to vote for candidates who place a high-priority on strengthening science and technology research. A majority of respondents indicated that they would be willing to support high-tech economic development initiatives, even if those efforts required additional taxes. The authors conclude that Arizonans view science and technology as vital to economic growth and are willing to support more targeted programs like the 21st Century Fund.



Read the results of the Morrison Institute survey at: http://www.asu.edu/copp/morrison/



Measuring Creativity in Phoenix

While the Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has the recipe for a creative economy - people in creative occupations, industries with a creative workforce, and an environment that supports creativity - it falls short of the national average in more than 75 percent of all creative occupational categories, a new study by the Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC) finds.



Creative Connections: Arts, Ideas, and Economic Progress in Greater Phoenix provides an in-depth examination of the region's strengths and weaknesses in building a creative economy and offers recommendations to attract and retain talent to the area. According to the report, Phoenix boasts a workforce of more than 100,000 people in creative occupations, including arts, design, culture and those rooted in new ideas and methods -- science, engineering and advanced technology, for example. These occupations represent 10 percent of the total wages in the region, with average wages of $56,729, compared to $33,705 for the region overall.



The report stresses the importance of building and sustaining creative economies in a global economy. Without a strong flow of innovation, which thrives in creative economies, the regional economy will inevitably falter as other U.S. regions with greater commitment surge ahead, the report states. Also, nations such as China and India are becoming more formidable competitors.



Comparatively, the Phoenix MSA ranks behind Seattle, Austin, San Diego, Dallas, Denver and Portland, respectively, in the percentage of its workforce in creative occupations, according to the report. The region's strengths lie within design, computer science and engineering, and business strategy fields, outpacing the national average for creative employment. However, the region falls short of the national average in more than 75 percent of all categories.



Although the report does not provide a specific action plan, it does outline recommendations for improvement. For example, government at all levels is a necessary and important partner in fostering vibrant communities and environments that nurture creativity, the report states. Both private and public sectors have roles to play to encourage and support innovative and bold entrepreneurial initiatives.



Additionally, the region needs to attract more creative outlets during non-work hours in order to attract and retain talent. Infrastructure and support for creative districts and vibrant "hot spots" is critical to the development and appeal of the region, according to the report.



MPAC evolved from a 2004 study that examined the state of arts and culture in the Phoenix region and its impact on the economy. The goal of the new Creative Connections: Arts, Ideas, and Economic Progress in Greater Phoenix is to demonstrate the relationship of creative industries and the innovation economy. It is available at: http://www.mpacarts.org/publications.php



Links to this report and 4,000 additional TBED-related research reports, strategic plans and other papers can be found at the Tech-based Economic Development (TBED) Resource Center, jointly developed by the Technology Administration and SSTI, at: http://www.tbedresourcecenter.org/.

People

William Harris is the new president and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona, a recently formed nonprofit organization.

Tech Talkin' Govs 2006, Part One

Publisher's Note Since 1999, SSTI has reviewed each of the governor's State of the States and inaugural and budget addresses for references involving tech-based economic development. Since 2001, we've provided relevant excerpts as part of the SSTI Weekly Digest. This year's coverage begins with this issue, and as you'll see, it's clear that innovation and workforce are playing a major role in this year's speeches. Our coverage will continue over the next several weeks.

People

Donna Kent is the new president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council.

People

The Southern Arizona Tech Council announced it will merge its programs into the recently created Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc., an integration expected to be mostly completed by June 30, 2006.

SSTI Job Corner

For more information on the positions below, visit SSTI's online Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

People

Arizona State University professor James Collins is the new assistant director for biological sciences at the National Science Foundation.

People

President and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, Todd Bankofier, is resigning his position on Aug. 26 to become vice president and general manager for Ensynch Inc., a Tempe-based information technology services and solutions consulting company.

People

Elyse Golob is the new director of the University of Arizona Office of Economic and Policy Analysis. Beginning July 1, Leslie Tolbert will be the university's vice president for research, graduate studies and economic development, replacing Richard Powell upon his June 30 retirement.

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