SSTI Digest

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

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.

Four recipients selected as best practice models in technology-based economic development were honored during an awards ceremony last week in Cleveland during SSTI's 12th Annual Conference. The awards follow a national competition emphasizing impact and replicability in approaches to building and sustaining tech-based economies.

"A crucial component to growing the nation's economy is supporting programs that are successful in developing and implementing initiatives that create high-paying jobs and provide U.S. businesses with the tools they need to compete in the global economy," said Dan Berglund, SSTI President and CEO. "This year's award recipients have generated significant returns for local, state and regional economies, each having an impressive story to share." 

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is seeking someone to serve as the director of Heartland BioVentures (HBV). The position is responsible for working with HBV's leadership to develop and sustain a robust pipeline of fundable bioscience companies by implementing a technical and business assistance activity following consultative evaluation of investment opportunities.  The best candidates will have substantial business development experience, a proven record of success in a start-up environment and/or investment firm, and experience working in one or more facets of the bioscience industry.  Experience working with boards of directors and/or advisors is preferred as is experience in the bioscience sector.

Several bills from the 2008 legislative session were signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell during the past two weeks, including the fiscal year 2008-09 budget, providing enhancements to K-12 programs encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and a measure to significantly expand the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) tax incentive program.  

This afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell signed a $650 million package of tax incentives, loans and grants to spur the development and use of clean energy technologies within the state. The governor believes that the bill will help the state leverage as much as $3.5 billion in private investment and help the state build a stronger clean energy industry. Highlights from the Alternative Energy Investment Act include: $165 million for loans and grants that support alternative and renewable energy projects conducted by businesses and local governments; $100 million for loans, grants and rebates covering up to 35 percent of individual and small business costs incurred by installing solar energy systems;

In the midst of a national economic downturn, coupled with stagnant to little growth in wages for even college-educated individuals, state efforts to build a qualified workforce and attract industries in emerging fields that pay above-average wages are crucial to ensuring economic growth.   A recent report on income trends issued jointly by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute finds that one in five U.S. families has a lower income today than they did at the start of the decade. Analyzing state-by-state income trends over the past 20 years, the report also finds a long-standing trend of growing inequality between families in the wealthiest income bracket and those in the middle- to lower-income brackets. In fact, while incomes have declined by 2.5 percent among the bottom fifth of U.S. families since the late 1990s, the data indicates that incomes have increased by 9.1 percent among the top fifth.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) as the winner of the "Excellence in Technology-led Economic Development" award, as part of EDA's Excellence in Economic Development Awards 2008. BFTP, created in 1983, has regional offices in Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and State College.

Janet Harrah was named the director of a new center being started at Northern Kentucky University that is similar to Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, where Harrah will remain director until July 25.

Peter Hermann resigned as president of the North Carolina Technology Association.

A complete description of this opportunity is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, a nonprofit economic development organization created to stimulate economic growth through technological innovation, is seeking a vice president to lead its Technology Commercialization group in the Physical Sciences. This position will be responsible for developing strategic and operational plans and cultivating regional partnerships and initiatives with key personnel at universities, companies, government and private research institutions, and other key institutions. A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science related to the physical sciences is required. Candidates also should have at least 10 years of private sector experience in a related field.

The Beaver County (Pa.) CO-OP announced it will change its name to StartingGate. The incubator will continue to assist entrepreneurs and new business start-ups and help expand existing businesses.

Joe Dedman was chosen as the first executive director of the Southeast Indiana WIRED.

Brian DuBoff was named the director of Maryland's southern region Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by the College of Southern Maryland.

Barbara Goodman has joined the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization as its executive director.

Mark Long has stepped down as the CEO of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.

Across the nation, policymakers, business leaders, private foundations and nonprofit groups are investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates to maintain a competitive U.S. workforce. From middle school math and science labs to engineering-centered summer camps and tuition reimbursement for undergraduates who pursue these fields, there is widespread support for STEM graduates.   The authors of a recent report from the national campaign Skills2Compete argue that while increasing the number of scientists and engineers is critical for the U.S. to remain a globally competitive force, researchers are underestimating middle skill job prospects and find that investments in these areas will likely generate important returns for the U.S. economy.