SSTI Digest

Geography: Maine

TBED and the 2012 Ballots

Voters in 37 states will decide on more than 170 ballot measures this year, many of which are related to tech-based economic development (TBED). Tax measures seem to be dominating ballots this year, with questions relating to both decreases and increases for sales, property and income taxes. Several states are counting on voters to agree to temporary increases to help fill budget deficits and ensure steady funding for education.

TBED People & Orgs

Tony Grindberg, executive director at the NDSU Research and Technology Park, has announced his resignation effective Sept. 30. He has accepted a position as the business unit manager for the Aerospace Business Unit of Appareo Systems, LLC. Appareo Systems is headquartered in the NDSU Research Park on the NDSU campus. Grindberg has been with the NDSU Research Park for the past 10 years.

TBED People & Orgs

Betsy Biemann, who has served as president of the Maine Technology Institute since 2005 has resigned. Joe Migliaccio, manager of MTI's Business Innovation Program, is serving as interim president.

Maine Gov's Veto of $20M R&D Bond Stands

House lawmakers fell short of overriding Gov. Paul LePage's veto of a $20 million bond for R&D projects that would have gone to voters in November following passage in the legislature earlier this month. The money would have been used by the Maine Technology Institute to provide competitive grants to businesses, nonprofit organizations, university research labs and others for R&D and commercialization projects through the Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF).

Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine Release Innovation Indices

While many state programs provide periodic reports on their activities and impacts, a few states provide regular data on their innovation economy as a whole. These reports can be useful in assessing a state's overall approach to TBED and in finding new areas for strategic intervention. Recently, groups in Massachusetts, Maine and Illinois separately released innovation indices that provide quantitative guides to their state's progress in fostering innovation. Massachusetts The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's John Adams Innovation Institute has released its 2011 Index of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy, an annual review of the Commonwealth's high-tech economy through 25 indicators. Each year, the index tracks Massachusetts' progress in these indicators, along with comparisons to other U.S. states and national economies. In addition to Massachusetts, the 2011 edition provides indicator data for comparison from seven leading technology states, including California, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Highlights from the 25 indicators include Industry cluster employment and wages, patenting activity, R&D performed, business formation, funding for R&D, and talent flow and attraction. Massachusetts' innovation once again ranks impressively next to its benchmark state and national economies, though the report notes that several indicators have had a downward trend over the past few years. The state leads the U.S. in per capita venture capital and SBIR awards, but that lead has shrunk since 2000. Employment in the state increasingly has become concentrated in key innovation sectors, and maintained its high rate of entrepreneurship activity throughout the recession. Massachusetts must now find ways to better fund higher education and get its students interested in STEM fields. Download the report... Maine Maine's Department of Community and Economic Development has released three reports examining the state's R&D and innovation economy performance in 2011. The first, Maine's Innovation Index 2012, tracks 24 indicators measuring Maine's progress toward building an innovation-driven economy. The state's performance is compared to U.S trends and to the New England region as a whole. Maine continues to improve in R&D performance, patenting, math and science skills of its eighth graders, and science and engineering enrollments and degrees. The second publication, a comprehensive R&D evaluation, tracks innovation inputs and outputs and progress toward the goals of the state's 2010 S&T plan. The report finds that although Maine's technology investment levels have not met the goals set out in the plan, they have brought substantial increases in research capacity and infrastructure, as well as new companies. Recommendations include providing more targeted supported for strategic industries, linking capital programs to advisory services and supporting retraining for existing workers. A third report evaluates the growing importance of middle-skill jobs, jobs that require some post-high school training, but not a four-year degree. The report finds that 30 percent of all Maine jobs fall in this category and that many of the job opportunities that open for workers in the coming years will require some type of post-secondary certification or training. Download the reports... Illinois Several groups in Illinois, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, World Business Chicago and the Illinois Innovation Network, are taking a different approach to innovation tracking by releasing monthly updates that feature select indicators. Since September 2011, the Illinois Innovation Index has highlighted a number of key innovation metrics, including venture capital investment, entrepreneur optimism, and R&D funding for industry and universities. This month's issue uses the Chicago MSA's patent output to gauge the region's innovation trajectory. Using patent data since 2006, the issue shows a decrease in activity in multiplex communications, but increases in financial and data processing and continued strength in advanced manufacturing.

Mid-Session Update on State TBED Proposals

As many states near the mid-point of their 2012 legislative sessions, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of the bills advancing in statehouses that could impact states' efforts to improve economic conditions. Several states are seeking to advance access to capital initiatives as they continue to struggle with declining revenue and tight credit restrictions. The following overview provides a sampling of TBED bills supporting access to capital, R&D enhancements and higher education standards.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Support for TBED Initiatives in DE, ME, NV, NC, TX

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...

TBED People and Job Opportunities

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has nominated George Gervais, the acting commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development as commissioner. His nomination must be reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development and confirmed by the Senate.

University R&D and Venture Capital Rise, While Business Growth Declines in Maine

Three recent reports from Maine provide insight into the challenges of fostering an innovative economy in a rural state. Overall, the research suggests that Maine has done well in its efforts to support startups, but could do more to help those startups expand and find new markets. By encouraging innovation-based businesses to expand to markets outside of Maine and by offering mentoring services, the state could overcome the stagnation that can occur when companies and states focus on local markets.

TBED People

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.

TBED People

TBED People
Anne Barth has been named the executive director of TechConnect West Virginia.

Four Organizations Achieving Impressive Economic Results Win National Award, Serving As Models Of Best Practice For States And Regions

Four organizations were named winners of SSTI's 2010 Excellence in TBED Award, serving as national models for states and regions investing in science, technology and innovation to grow and sustain their economies and create high-paying jobs.

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