SSTI Digest

The Idaho Department of Commerce has named Gynii Gilliam as its new chief economic development officer. Gilliam brings more than 20 years of experience to the position. Most recently, she served as executive director of Bannock Development Corporation.

Lawmakers in several states wrapped up their 2011 sessions in time for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1 for most states, allocating funds and passing bills in support of tech-based economic development. Read more...

The fourth installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Vermont. The first three installments are available in the Jan. 5, Jan. 12 and Jan. 19 issues of the Digest.

Maine Governor Paul LePage named Phillip Congdon as the new commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Cogndon is a licensed professional engineer who spent more than 20 years with Texas Instruments in Dallas. He replaces Acting Commissioner Thaxter Trafton.

Want to participate in a new concept in innovation clusters? The Southern Advanced Materials in Transportation Alliance (SAMTA) is a regional innovation cluster that promotes the research, commercialization, and production of new and specialized materials important to the automotive and aerospace industries. Although traditional clusters are based on geographic concentration, SAMTA will use telecommunications networks to minimize geographic distance and facilitate the industry network. The Economic Development Administration has provided seed funding for this project. If you are a researcher, businessperson, or advocate, working in, or with facilities in the South and want to be on the mailing list, email Scott Doron at sdoron@southern.org.

Joining a growing number of states investing in clean energy to promote economic growth and remain competitive, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed into law four renewable energy bills that he says will create new jobs by fostering the expansion of renewable energy industries such as wind and solar. Expanding the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and updating the Green Energy Fund to address a backlog in recipients waiting for grant dollars are among the new laws in the Clean Energy Jobs Package detailed below.

Adding to a growing number of states seeking to increase their percentage of power from renewable sources, Gov. Jack Markell last week introduced the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act.  A key component of the legislation is increasing the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which governors often say generates job growth.

The third installment of SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs’ series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Delaware, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin. The first and second installments are available in the Jan 13 Digest and Jan. 20 Digest, respectively.

Gov. Jim Douglas plans to merge the Vermont Departments of Economic Development and Housing and Community Affairs. Douglas's deputy chief of staff Betsy Bishop was appointed commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. She replaces Mike Quinn, who stepped down after serving six years in the position.

Eleven gubernatorial elections were held across the U.S. on Tuesday, resulting in the selection of three new governors - with TBED initiatives spread throughout their campaigns' messages.

Delaware Economic Development Office announced Ken Anderson as its new director of entrepreneurial and small business development.

Delaware

Gov. Ruth Minner, State of the State Address, Jan. 18, 2007



"Over the coming year, our Economic Development Office will market a new initiative to promote the Technology-Based Seed Fund, the Emerging Technology Center, and the New Intellectual Property Program—all part of my New Economy Initiative. These programs fit together as a one-stop service for those wishing to start a business.



"We can provide entrepreneurs with ideas for business by offering a patent for new products, we can help fund new start-ups through the Technology-Based Seed Funds; and we can help get new businesses off the ground by providing resources and guidance through the Emerging Technology Center."



Idaho

Gov. Butch Otter, State of the State/Budget Address, Jan. 8, 2007



"Higher education helps stimulate our economy through research. I am recommending a one-time increase of $15 million for the Higher Education Research Council for research projects that facilitate economic development. That includes research being conducted by our three universities at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, a joint venture between the universities and the Idaho National Laboratory.



"Idaho’s dairy industry has experienced amazing growth. ... However, our primary education and research programs benefiting the dairy industry are in Moscow, while the heart of the industry is in the Magic Valley. That’s why I’m recommending $10.9 million to help support a collaborative effort between the dairy industry and the University of Idaho, along with other state and federal agencies, to establish a dairy and animal research and education facility in the Magic Valley."



Iowa

Gov. Chet Culver, Budget Address, Jan. 30, 2007



"It's time for Iowa to become the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. To meet the energy challenge I am proposing the creation of a $100 million Iowa Power Fund, with a down payment of $25 million this year. This priority is of such critical importance, I am asking you to authorize a supplemental appropriation immediately. This will help us rapidly develop the next-generation energy economy in Iowa. This new investment will incent the growth of Iowa-based businesses in this exciting new industry, create jobs, and attract millions of dollars in public research and development funds. It will also result in hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment in renewable energy in Iowa.



"In addition, the Power Fund money will be used to help conduct the important research and development necessary for all forms of renewable energy and alternative fuel. It doesn’t matter whether it's related to wind or solar power, geothermal or biomass cellulosic ethanol, biodeisel, or E-85. Iowa needs to lead the way. The Power Fund will allow us to do this. We need to create the essential public-private partnerships required to further develop these alternative energy opportunities and commercialize them. However, we are not the only state working towards energy independence. In order to maintain the leadership we have worked so hard to develop, we must compete and do so aggressively."



Missouri

Gov. Matt Blunt, State of the State Address, Jan. 24, 2007



"If we are to make Missouri families even more prosperous, we must ensure that students are equipped with advanced skills in math and science. Technology helps improve skills and spark student interest in math and science. That is why my budget includes 2.9 million dollars to fund 100 technology classrooms in 100 different schools. ...



"... After school programs provide a safe haven for children and opportunities for students to participate in math and science enrichment activities that the regular school day may not allow. To support these programs my budget includes 1 million dollars to expand quality after school programs in math and science, as well as physical activity and health. ...



"... Missouri college students are learning math and science skills in labs and classrooms that are out of date. ... To address those needs I developed the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. Through this Initiative we can sell loans held by people in other states and bring 335 million dollars home to strengthen our colleges and universities for our students. ...



"... We must promote policies encouraging investment so that we can deliver high speed Internet to more Missourians – whether wealthy or poor, young or old, in our largest cities or on our most remote farms. . . . When government allows businesses to compete, Missourians see lower prices and more choices. So I am asking you to enact legislation that creates competition for all companies that want to provide telecommunications and cable services."



Nevada

Gov. Jim Gibbons, State of the State Address, Jan. 22, 2007



"I have included in the executive budget $10 million in unclaimed property receipts to create a dynamic new economic development program, modeled after the hugely successful program in Georgia. Working with Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki, we will launch this new program to work with the best of Nevada’s research facilities in creating new high-tech/biotech and renewable energy types of industries. Funds will be used to hire world-class researchers who will bring their work to Nevada. This will provide high-end jobs for Nevadans and is ideally suited for the current 38,000 millennium scholars graduating in the coming years."