SSTI Digest

Leroy Williams has been named as the new technology secretary for the state of Colorado. Williams, previously the state's chief information officer, will manage the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology.

Paul Ray has left his position as director of the Colorado Office of Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Colorado State Representative Tim Fritz is resigning his seat to become director of Colorado's Office of Aerospace and Aeronautics.

John Hansen is the new Secretary of Technology for the State of Colorado. Hansen retains his position as Chief Technology Officer as well.

Colorado Governor Bill Owens has appointed Tim Fritz as the director of the Office of Aerospace and Aeronautics.

Marc Holtzman, Colorado's former science and technology advisor, is taking the position as president of Denver University.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced the recipients of its 2003 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. A total of eight award-winners were named across seven broad award categories. Those pocketing awards in Innovation and Technology-led Economic Development, respectively, are described below. Innovation Utah Division of Business and Economic Development, Utah Smart Site Project, Salt Lake City, Utah - The Utah Smart Site Program develops family-sustaining employment opportunities in rural communities through the attraction, creation and expansion of businesses that use the Internet to provide information technology outsourcing services for clients anywhere in the world. The Utah Smart Site Program has resulted in the attraction of two new businesses, the creation of 13 new IT businesses and the expansion of an additional seven IT businesses. In addition, four firms have announced their intent to locate in Utah's rural communities. These companies have created 618 new jobs with an additional 580 jobs that have been announced - http://…

Colorado Governor Bill Owens has appointed Paul Ray as the state's first director of biosciences.

Earlier this week, Colorado Chief Technology Officer John Hansen released a statewide plan to develop biotechnology and life sciences industry sectors in Colorado. Colorado's Place in the Sun: A Bioscience Future provides analysis, direction and recommended actions for three key sector areas — workforce development, business development, and research development. After outlining the state's current strengths in biotech and life sciences, the plan identifies several key factors for success: "engaged research organizations with active leadership across research, technology commercialization, and industry partnerships "intensive networking across sectors and with industry "available indigenous capital covering all stages of the business cycle "discretionary federal or other R&D funding support "workforce and talent pool on which to build and sustain efforts "access to specialized facilities and equipment "stable and supportive business, tax, and regulatory policies "patience and a long-term perspective." Some of the plan's primary recommendations include…

Governor Bill Owen has named Trip Carter as the state's first aerospace advocate, the state's latest effort to help the industry, which employs approximately 110,000 residents and has $4 billion in revenues. Only Florida, California and Texas have larger stakes in the aerospace industry. As a result, the state has undertaken several initiatives over the past two years to develop and promote the industry's health as it goes through a transition period. The Aerospace Advocate appointment follows a Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs in April and the Colorado Space Strategy Initiative completed two years ago to study the importance of aerospace for Colorado's economy and outline specific recommendations for public-private initiatives to support the industry. Working through the Colorado Technology Alliance, Mr. Carter will report to the state's new Colorado Aerospace/Defense Council. The goals of the Advocate and Council are to work with leaders of industry, education, government, economic development organizations and the general public to establish strong space coalitions, ensure…

The State of Colorado is creating an office to recruit and assist space technology businesses, the Associated Press reported. Approximately $240,000 has been raised for the office, which will be led by a yet-to-be-named "Colorado space advocate." One fourth of the funds are provided by the state, with the balance received from the private sector.

Colorado On Monday, Colorado Secretary of Technology Marc Holtzman announced a new $11 million partnership between the Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado and ITU Ventures, LLC. The partnership was formed to invest in technology emerging from Colorado's research institutions. ITU will assist the commercial growth of technological innovation by working with researchers, administration and university tech transfer offices. More information is available at: http://www.oit.state.co.us/about/press_1.asp?prid=16 Iowa Iowa boasts a new corporate group to promote and encourage tech-based economic development, according to the Associated Press. The AP reports the Iowa Coalition for Innovation and Growth is comprised of the top executives from the state's largest corporations and evolved out of the Iowa Business Council's review of the state's performance on several metrics. The Coalition will receive administrative support from the Iowa Chamber Alliance, an association of the state's 15 largest chambers of commerce. Maryland…