SSTI Digest

Geography: Arizona

SSTI's Calendar Page Already Lists 100 TBED Events for 2005

If you haven't purchased your 2005 wall calendar or updated your computer-based planner yet, you will need to soon, to schedule travel and update budget requests. At the top of many lists will be SSTI's 9th annual conference, Oct. 19-21, 2005 in Atlanta, but how do you conveniently find out about the many other high quality events happening throughout the year?

Update on Key TBED Issues, Referenda from Around the Country

The Oct. 25 issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest previewed ballot issues in six states that would have implications for their respective state efforts to grow a knowledge-based economy. The unofficial results at press time for each are provided below:

TBED Election Issues across the States

While the presidential election has been dominating the news, voters across the country will be acting on an array of tech-based economic development issues on Election Day next week. The largest is an initiative in California that would provide up to $3 billion for embryonic stem cell research. If approved by California voters, Proposition 71 would have the potential of significantly changing the landscape of where stem cell research is carried out and have significant economic development implications.

People

Garza Fernandez, president of the Southern Arizona Industry and Aerospace Alliance, announced her resignation to devote more time to the Technology Development and Research Institute.

People

Scott Davis will be the new director for the University of Arizona Office of Economic Development.

Tech Talkin' Govs: The Inaugural, Budget and State-of-the-State Addresses

Arizona

Gov. Janet Napolitano, State of the State Address, Jan. 12, 2004


"The Governor's Council on Innovation and Technology recently released a blueprint for developing Arizona's tech industries, so that we can become pace setters in an increasingly competitive arena. [Note: See the Jan. 9 issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest for details.]

Arizona Governor Receives Tech-based ED Recommendations

In 2003, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano charged the Governor's Council on Innovation and Technology with developing specific recommendations to help diversify the state's economy. With recommendations including new and expanded tax credits, public-private venture capital, angel capital funds, workforce development and internship programs, and lobbying Washington for more funding, the governor now must find a way to finance the plan in a tight fiscal environment.

Arizona-Sonora Region Gets Graded in Annual Report Card

The University of Arizona Office of Economic Development (UA OED) has released its annual report card on economic growth and development in the Arizona-Sonora region. Funded by the Arizona-Mexico Commission and the Arizona Department of Commerce, Regional Economic Indicators: Arizona-Sonora 2003 monitors economic changes in the Arizona-Sonora region via 33 indicators across four broad areas:

Collaboration Critical to Recent Local TBED Initiatives

Arizona Universities Partner to Create Joint Biomedical Campus

In an economy in which nearly every public university across the country is facing tighter budgets, the presidents of the three state universities of Arizona – the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University – have decided the best way to expand and improve the state’s biomedical research capabilities is to jointly form a single biomedical campus in downtown Phoenix. According to an Oct. 1 article in the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Biomedical Collaboration will facilitate coordination of research and encourage better interaction among student, faculty and other researchers. The project also should yield biotech spinoffs and additional economic development benefits for the city. ASU and UA have committed a combined $27 million toward the Arizona Biomedical Collaboration facility, which is expected to house as many as 15,000 students.

Arizona Study Examines Impact of Public Investments in University S&T

New university-based research efforts in biodesign, nanotechnology, embedded systems and virtual manufacturing show that Arizona has stepped forward to compete in the knowledge economy, according to a recent study by Morrison Institute for Public Policy, a unit of Arizona State University.

Spurring University Tech Commercialization through Incentives

Since her inauguration in January, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has pushed legislation intended to increase university tech transfer and commercialization (see related item in this issue). But will it work? Do economic incentives really encourage university researchers to pursue commercialization goals? Or are academics "pure" scientists, truly beyond monetary motives as many would argue?

State and Local Tech-based ED RoundUp

Arizona Legislation to Encourage Tech Transfer Awaits Voters' Approval

House Bill 2403, a measure that ultimately would encourage technology transfer, has been signed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and now awaits approval by voters. Passing the Arizona State Legislature in late May, the legislation provides that Arizona's universities may partner with private companies in business ventures. State agencies and organizations would be able to take equity investments in firms wanting to market products developed at the universities. Arizona voters will decide at the next general election whether to approve the change in the state's Constitution. The complete text of HB 2403 is available at: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/

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