New Regional Science & Technology Councils Forming

Alaska Technology Councils To Merge

The Alaska High-Tech Business Council and the Technology Entrepreneurs Coalition will be merging January 1 to form HiTechAlaska. With more than 100 members, the new organization will focus on promoting the growth and development of the state's tech industry and strengthening industry ties with the University of Alaska system. The group will also broaden its focus beyond information and communication technologies. The organization's website, www.hitechalaska.com, will be launched in the beginning of 2004.

Dallas-Fort Worth Forms Life Science Coalition

In late November, the DFW Life Sciences Partnership - Biometroplex Alliance was formed by a coalition including the Greater Dallas Chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber, the Health Industry Council and the North Texas Commission, to continue fostering the growth of the region's broad life sciences industry. The coalition will actively promote the industry within the Metroplex to make the region a more significant player in both U.S. and international biotech and life sciences. The DFW Life Sciences Partnership will be open to all organizations active in the life sciences industry and committed to developing the region as a center for life sciences companies. More information is available at: http://www.dfwlifesciences.org/

New Century Technology Council Forms Software Alliance

The New Century Technology Council, which serves the growing technology industry in the greater Roanoke and Blacksburg region of Virginia, has formed a NCTC Software Alliance peer group for the area's 50-plus software development firms. The group plans to meet quarterly for information sharing, best practices programs and tours to help grow one of the region's largest recognizable technology clusters. More information is available at: http://www.thetechnologycouncil.com/programs/swa.htm

Single Northeast Ohio Org to Replace Two for Regional Entrepreneurship Services

The Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition, or NorTech, and Case Western Reserve University recently announced an agreement to combine Case’s Enterprise Development, Inc. and NorTech’s NEOpreneur Inc. into a single organization dedicated to assisting regional entrepreneurs. The yet-to-be-named entity will play an important role in supporting entrepreneurs and, ultimately, the creation of new businesses in Northeast Ohio. An interim board comprised of Case and NorTech representatives has appointed Lou Schneeberger, former chairman of Royal Appliance and chief financial officer of Olympic Steel, as board chairman and interim chief executive officer. More information is available at: http://www.nortech.org/

Texas Governor Forms Energy Council

Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order last month creating the Texas Energy Planning Council to help the state prepare a strategic plan to prosper as world oil production declines and the nation seeks alternative sources for energy. According to the order, the plan "should recognize the important contribution of Texas’ petroleum and natural gas exploration and production industry and identify ways to keep this industry strong and vibrant as the state begins to transition to the next generation of energy technologies. The Council should explore ways to diversify future energy supplies via liquefied natural gas, nuclear, and clean coal technology as well as through renewable energy sources such as wind power, biomass, and fuel cells. The Council should also explore common sense ways to reduce energy consumption through practical energy conservation measures." The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the energy industry in the state, will provide administrative support. The executive order is available at: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp29