SSTI Digest

Sacramento's economic development director, Andy Plescia, is moving on to become a private development consultant.

Marguerite Wilbur has been named president and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley.

More than 60 presentations on patterns, or solutions to problems in a given context, figure to be the highlight of CPSR's 8th biannual Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing (DIAC) symposium, "Shaping the Network Society: Patterns for Participation, Action, and Change," being held May 16-19 in Seattle. CPSR (Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility) describes patterns as observable actions, empirical findings, hypotheses, theories or best practices that exist at all levels. Patterns can be global or local and theoretical or practical, according to CPSR. Some of the presentations at the DIAC-02 symposium have particular relevance to state and local tech-based economic development affects, including: How to Survive Once the Government Funds Run Out Computer Learning Centers in Public Housing Complexes Using Technology for Social Engagement of the Aged Community-based Information Technology Workforce Development Designing a Collaborative Community Information System The Challenges of Global Learning in the New Digital Age Bridging the…

[Note: SSTI defines a technology council as a regional entity that is membership-based and independently funded with science and technology-based economic development as one of its primary goals. National trade associations and government-created technology councils which serve in an advisory or policy role are excluded from this discussion.] The economic climate of the past year has created financial challenges for several regional technology councils and local industry associations. While a few of the 200+ councils around the country have received brief funding from state or local governments, most are dependent on membership dues and fees for a significant portion of their revenue base. For many small businesses, outlays for membership dues, conference fees, and subscriptions are reduced as revenues decline. The dot-com crash, with the resulting bankruptcies, closures, mergers and consolidations of IT companies, shrank the market of potential council participants in several localities. Particularly hard hit, obviously, are the IT-related technology councils. For example…

San Diego Community College Chancellor Augie Gallego has been selected as the new chairman of the American Council of Education, only the second community college executive to hold the position since the organization's founding more than 80 years ago.

While Silicon Valley lost jobs last year — the first decline since 1992 — value added per employee, a measure of productivity, increased 4.6 percent to $170,000 compared to $56,000 nationally, according to the Index of Silicon Valley 2002 released in January by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network. The above figures and other economic data contained in the Index measure annual progress toward the long-term goals of an innovative economy, livable environment, inclusive society and regional stewardship established by Joint Venture in Silicon Valley 2010. The Index suggests that while the Valley faces short-term economic challenges, its long-term prospects remain strong, given continuing innovation and productivity gains. Important progress also is being made on long-term goals. Though the slowing economy has eased some pressure, people are still under strain, the Index observes. The gap between high income and low income households narrowed for the first time in seven years, although the standard of living for the…

Last week, Governor Gray Davis announced the award of three grants to support the creation of new Regional Technology Alliances (RTA) for the Inland Empire, San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento/Capital regions. The three new non-profit organizations join existing RTAs in Los Angeles, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area to provide decentralized business support services for innovative, California-based technology firms. Because the RTAs are designed by the tech community within the particular service area, each RTA offers regionally-customized approaches to technical assistance, securing financing, and other business support. The three new RTAs, expected to open by May, will receive $200,000 in state matching grants from the California Technology Investment Partnership (CalTIP). The RTA and CalTIP programs are administered by the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. More information is available from the Division's website. An eight-page SSTI Program Brief focusing on…

The San Diego Work Force Partnership recently released four strategic plans as a blueprint to prepare San Diego's workforce to compete in the changing global economy. Initiated as part of a broader Regional Workforce Development Strategic Planning Initiative, the plans reflect the concerns of area businesses for developing and maintaining skilled workers. San Diego Regional Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization, and San Diego State University completed the plans, which evaluated workforce development trends in four local industry clusters — biosciences, computer and electronics, software and computer services, and visitor services. To study and formulate recommendations for the clusters, the plans' focus was to identify cluster employers' current training needs, data needs for educators and employers, and strategies to improve ongoing communication between educators and employers. Key findings suggest that regional workforce committees be created around each industry to improve communication between industry and education.…

The third part in a series, "Tech-talkin Govs" highlights programs, policies and issues in tech-based economic development that were considered in the following governors' State of the State and Budget addresses. California Gray Davis, 2002-2003 Budget proposal, January 2002 http://www.dof.ca.gov/HTML/Budget02-03/00_toc.htm $75 million for purchase of science lab equipment and materials for grades 7-12. A $4 million appropriation to continue the HighTech High School Program, which provides five matching grants totaling $2 million each over two years. Reductions in the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency beginning in 2002-2003 include: $600,000 from the Manufacturing Technology Program, leaving $5.4 million intact; and $1 million each from the Next Generation Internet Program and the Rural Ecommerce Grant Program, maintaining half of the third-year funding for each program. Consolidate all existing job training programs that provide core employment services, economic development, and job training services to special populations under…

Community Science Workshops (CSW) are spreading nationwide, due to a second $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will enable San Francisco State University (SFSU) and its partners to create CSWs across the U.S. CSWs, or informal drop-in science centers, were first given life four years ago when SFSU received its initial $3 million grant from NSF. Being self-supported through community partnerships, CSWs spread in 10 underserved California communities in Fresno, San Jose, Los Angeles, Watsonville and Oakland and led to satellite workshops in neighboring communities. Eight of 15 new sites will be launched in cities including Tucson, Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Detroit, Seattle, New York, and Washington, D.C., with at least one workshop located on or near a Native American reservation. These sites will serve as hubs for developing spinoff sites. As an informal science program, CSWs have enhanced formal science standards by offering onsite science programs to neighboring schools that generally lack the resources and expertise of their local CSW…

Innovation indices or S&T report cards can be useful tools for assessing the health and direction of a region or state's economy. The results can be helpful for determining appropriate policies and programs to affect change and measuring progress. Evolving over the past five years, many states, localities and national organizations have prepared indices. Links to past Digest articles covering these reports are massed on the following web page: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Indices/indices.htm The latest releases for Massachusetts, one of the forerunners using the tool, and Southern California are described below. The Mississippi Technology Alliance's new efforts also are highlighted.  Massachusetts  If the Commonwealth's Innovation Economy is to remain a major force in driving economic growth in Massachusetts, policy makers must continue to focus on attracting research and development funds, encouraging entrepreneurs and invention, and promoting the expansion of a highly educated and skilled workforce, according to the 2001 Index of the Massachusetts…

Fresno, California  The Valley Angels Investment Network soon will be administered by San Joaquin Venture Partners, a venture capital fund created in June, and California State University, Fresno, according to a recent article published in the Fresno Bee. Already, the network has nearly 20 prospective angels and 20 service providers and is set to help IQ Biometrix, a computer software company. Next to the Sierra Angels, the Sacramento Angels, the North Bay Angels, and the Tech Coast Angels, the network stands to be one of several such groups in California. Investors interested in becoming angels must have a net worth of $1 million or more or have earned at least $200,000 in each of the past two years. More information is available at: http://www.sjvp.org  Des Moines  A new partnership, the Technology Commercialization Acceleration Program (TCAP), was established Thursday by the Iowa Department of Economic Development and Iowa State University, the Associated Press reported. TCAP will foster the development of 15 new tech-based businesses in Iowa within three years…