SSTI Digest

The first third of the current fiscal year was over before Pennsylvania leaders could agree on a $27.8 billion FY10 budget that sharply reduces spending across many areas of community and economic development. It does boost funding for basic education to historic levels, however. State spending in FY10 is $1.9 billion lower than in FY09 and $524 million less when federal stimulus dollars are taken into account, according to the governor’s press office. In addition to spending cuts across most agencies, the state will raise cigarette taxes by 25 cents per pack and institute a new tax on small cigars. Funding is reduced for several programs within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), including funding for one of the nation’s largest state technology development programs, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA). The BFTDA will receive $20 million in FY10, down from $50.7 million. The BFTDA approved $16 million to be allocated equally this year among the four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partners - regional centers that provide seed capital and business assistance for early-stage and established…

Southwestern Pennsylvania is on course to add 11,640 green jobs to its economy by 2015, according to a new report commissioned by two local organizations, the Green Building Alliance and Growing Technology through Energy and Community Health (GTECH) . The region’s green services sector is on the verge of a major boom and will be the driving force in the growth of the green economy, according to the report. The report is bullish about the future of Pittsburgh’s green economy, though it relies on a methodology intended to produce a more conservative estimate of green jobs than other approaches, the authors contend. In order to maximize the growth of green sectors, the authors recommend that Pittsburgh implement a more coordinated and comprehensive strategy to prepare and train workers for green jobs. Southwestern Pennsylvania is already home to 18,000 jobs in green industries, according to the report. Together with the additional newly created 11,640 jobs, the region’s employment could grow to 30,000 by 2015. The majority of these new jobs fall into the category of green services sector, which includes a variety of occupations that make use of green…

Listen to SSTI's Interview with Rich Lunak of Innovation Works SSTI has an effective new learning tool for TBED policymakers and practitioners seeking guidance in approaches to building and sustaining tech-based economies. Through exclusive interviews with Excellence in TBED Award recipients, find out first-hand how these award winning initiatives successfully responded to a critical need by applying innovative approaches to generate substantial economic gains for their region. Innovation Works 2008 Winner for the Increasing Access to Capital category Listen to a five-minute clip of SSTI's interview with Innovation Works president and CEO Rich Lunak or the full conversation (19:45 minutes). To grow and support technology companies throughout the Pittsburgh region, Innovation Works' seed fund, the primary investment program of the Ben Franklin Technology Partner for Southwestern…

As credit and early-stage investment capital become increasingly scarce, more state, regional and local governments and organizations are stepping in to help local entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground. In many cases, offering equity investments is not always an attractive option to the public organization. Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), for example, recently announced a new low-interest loan fund to provide the early-stage capital needed to start new high-tech businesses in the midst of a troubled economic situation. The Pittsburgh Entrepreneur Fund will award up to $200,000 to high-tech entrepreneurs and companies, as well as pair awardees up with organizations that can offer guidance and technical assistance. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl noted that the program is not just for existing companies, but also is targeted toward young entrepreneurs and researchers who might otherwise take their intellectual capital elsewhere. Low interest loans will be available for high-tech startups, particularly those involved in information technology, life science and green/energy. URA will work with local incubators to provide additional support for new…

The  complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. Penn State seeks a director for the newly formed Economic Engagement Initiatives unit in the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The director will work collaboratively with academic, outreach, research, and other centers and units to present a unified point of entry to resources in support of economic development. The director is expected to generate significant grant-funded initiatives to Penn State. Qualifications include a master's degree (PhD preferred) or equivalent, plus five years of work-related experience in economic and workforce development or related fields that include evidence of organizational leadership and supervisory roles.

Karl Fooks, a past managing director for J.P. Morgan & Co. in Asia, is the new president of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation. Fooks replaces John Chock who retired last year. The U.S. Senate confirmed by unanimous consent President Barack Obama's nomination of Karen Gordon Mills as the 23rd Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has named Stephen M. Hourigan executive director of the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. He also will oversee the state's entrepreneurship efforts. Hourigan replaces Bruce Kidd who resigned in December. Innovate Texas Foundation was launched to enhance Texas' competitiveness in bringing promising technologies to the marketplace and creating high-value jobs in the state. David Guajardo Nance will become the Foundation's first executive director. Northern Kentucky University and their alliance partners have formed the Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurial Alliance to promote entrepreneurship in the region. Bill Taylor, the longtime head of Mercedes-Benz's Alabama operations, will become president of the Economic Development Partnership of…

The following overview is a synopsis of select recent announcements from research parks across the nation, including groundbreakings and development plans to support vibrant regional economies based on science, technology and innovation.  The University of Missouri Mizzou Innovation Center is the anchor research tenant in the new Missouri Innovation Park - a 500-acre knowledge-based science and technology park being developed by the City of Blue Springs and the university. The project will support public research organizations, private businesses, and other research-related organizations establishing business clusters that focus on commercializing technological innovations. Initial seed capital is provided by the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation, the City of Blue Springs and Kansas City Power & Light. Tenants are expected to move into the research park within the next five to 10 years, reports the Columbia Daily Tribune. Plans for a 350-acre biomedical research campus in Kansas City were unveiled last month by Oxford Redevelopment Company. The proposed development, which is called Oxford on the Blue, is part of an overall concept…

In a period of tightening budgets, it is important for stakeholders to know that the investments they are making in tech-based economic development are yielding positive economic results - and returning revenue to the state. Recent impact assessments to examine comprehensive TBED programs in three states show how smart these investments have been. More telling, different evaluation models were used in all three states and they each reached similar conclusions: strategic TBED investments can stimulate economic growth. Pennsylvania A review of the initiatives of Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) program from the period of 2002 to 2006 concluded the state's investment of $140 million, dispersed to more than 500 companies and institutions, has yielded $517 million in state tax receipts - roughly a return 3.5 times greater than the amount spent from state coffers. The values in the assessment by the Pennsylvania Economic League are based on an economic model that includes direct spending by BFTP client firms, indirect spending as a result of BFTP, and induced spending of goods and services by affected employees. Along with using data…

The fifth installment of the Tech Talkin' Govs series includes highlights from state of the state, budget and inaugural addresses from governors in Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Utah. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, State of the State Address, Feb. 3, 2009 "And let's make Alabama more competitive with other states for higher paying jobs. Our current incentives focus almost entirely on manufacturing, and Alabama will continue to be aggressive in the pursuit of those jobs. But in today's economy we need a more balanced approach. One that makes more industries eligible for our economic incentives: knowledge-based industries that typically pay higher wages like research and development facilities, corporate headquarters and other entrepreneurial ventures. . ". As we seek to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, there are many companies working to create new and cheaper forms of energy right here in America. These companies also create 21st century jobs that are here to stay. But Alabama doesn't provide tax incentives to these companies. So our recovery plan makes sure Alabama will be a leader in the emerging green economy. .…

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (NREL) the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development, is looking for an NREL Licensing Executive. Primary responsibilities include evaluating early stage energy inventions for commercial potential, seeking promising markets for NREL technologies, directing the NREL commercialization strategy. The Licensing Executive will take charge of all licensing for NREL. Requirements include a master's degree in science and/or engineering, or equivalent relevant education/experience and at least five years of relevant experience. This position posted by the Vortechs Group. Pennsylvania State University, College of Engineering, invites applications for the Director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor, a highly visible position within the School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs at University Park. The Director's responsibilities will include teaching, advising, research, and providing leadership on key goals including expansion of the program…

The Complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is seeking a manager of program analyst development (PAD). This management position is responsible for performing economic research, developing metrics and other ad hoc reporting, managing database and PAD Unit staff members, and providing support for execution of new program initiatives. The position also is responsible for monitoring and knowledge of new funding opportunities, and for economic development proposal generation. Requirements include a BS/BA, preferable MBA or Masters degree in a related field and a minimum of two years experience in small business lending, investment or other financially-related experience.

Southern Growth hired Ted Abernathy, Jr., former Executive Vice President & COO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, to serve as its Executive Director, filling the vacancy created by Jim Clinton's resignation in September. The Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence has hired Ronald Bennett as executive director. The City of Virginia Beach Economic Development Department has hired Scott Hall to fill their newly created position of Business Development Coordinator. Marquette University has named Keith Osterhage as executive director for its office of research and sponsored programs. Mary Jo Waits is the new Director for NGA Center for Best Practices' Social, Economic & Workforce Programs Division within the National Governors Association. Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Community & Economic Development resigned effective Oct. 23. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine named Jerold Zaro as Chief of the Governor's Office of Economic Growth. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has reorganized the Department of Labor and Economic Growth and changed the department's name…