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Strategic Plans Focus on Science and Technology: New Mexico Washington State

August 25, 2000

Several state and regional economic development strategies have been released this summer. All recognize the important role of research, science and technology in building tech-based economies. Two states are highlighted this week. 

New Mexico 

The New Mexico Economic Development Department has rolled out a new strategic vision for the state's economy that they believe gives a clear picture of New Mexico's ultimate destination and offers a detailed map of how to get there. The strategic vision document, Quality for Life, is built on six strategies. Those pertaining directly to science and technology include: 

  • Invest in infrastructure for innovation by strengthening existing programs at the national labs, federal research institutions, universities, and private research and development centers. Specifically, the strategic vision calls for linking the public and private institutions through collaborative efforts, especially encouraging the universities and the private sector to make more use of the resources offered by the national labs. It also calls for research and development tax credits. 
  • Commercialize innovation by making sure that technologies developed in New Mexico wind up being marketed by facilities that are established in New Mexico. To that end, the strategic vision calls for tax incentives to attract venture capital, increased funding for incubators and other business development programs, and an across-the-board reduction in the tax burden on businesses.
  • Invest in workforce development through education and training. The strategic vision calls for higher academic standards in the state, the establishment of charter schools or programs in the fields of science and math, strategies to link educational curriculum and training programs to the needs of the workplace, a statewide effort to integrate and coordinate workforce training programs, and a new emphasis on technical training as an alternative to traditional programs. 
  • Invest in quality physical infrastructure. Targeted goals include enacting policies to increase telecommunications competition, granting permission for rural communities to aggregate local demand to make it easier for companies to supply telecommunications services, maximizing the use of existing infrastructure such as the state's microwave network, and establishing a telecommunications council. 

The entire vision document is available at http://www.NewMexicoDevelopment.com 

Washington State 

With plans to address the increased adoption of technology, the inequalities of growth in rural and urban areas, and the shortage of a technically skilled workforce, the Washington State Office of Trade & Economic Development (OTED) has completed its strategic plan for the FY 2001-2003 biennium. 

The plan provides direction for the new agency since Governor Gary Locke split the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development into two offices, OTED and the Office of Community Development. OTED objectives for the biennium include: 

  • expanding the New Economy to all parts of the state 
  • defining the state’s value added role in the technology sector 
  • promoting the expansion of the state’s telecommunications infrastructure 
  • identifying and working with industry clusters to leverage economic development activities and resources 
  • supporting entrepreneurship, particularly as a result of the National Governors’ Association Entrepreneurial Academy 
  • meeting the skills gap need of the state’s workforce 
  • developing policies to promote investment in clean and renewable energies 
  • building a stronger research and analysis capacity within OTED 

The full plan can be obtained from: Jill Nishi, Deputy Director for the Washington State Office of Trade & Economic Development, at (360) 586-4244 or jilln@cted.wa.gov 

New Mexico