SSTI Digest

With just about two weeks left to apply for the 2008 Excellence in TBED Awards, applications are already coming in, and while there is no prize for early birds, we’ll gladly accept your entry at any time. No need to worry though; there is no penalty for procrastinators, other than the risk of a too hastily prepared proposal.   New to this year’s application brochure is a one-page set of application guidelines that was developed from the suggestions submitted by judges on last year’s award committees. This resource serves as a useful tool when crafting your narrative. Be sure to check it out at http://www.ssti.org/awards.htm.   The deadline to apply is May 16, 2008.   To learn more about last year’s winners, please visit: http://www.ssti.org/Awards/07winners.htm

Excitement already is building for SSTI's 12th annual conference, Encouraging Regional Innovation, and we only published the "save the date" postcards last week! Past participants know SSTI's annual conference is the only event of the year to bring together so many thought leaders and practitioners from all aspects of TBED from every corner of the country and every type of organization, with such varied angles and perspectives on every issue. The Oct. 14-16 event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland promises to help professionally advance the tech-based economic development community through a series of fully interactive plenary sessions and discussion based breakouts. 

In a deal ironed out earlier this month by Gov. Ted Strickland and legislative leaders, the state will move forward with an economic stimulus plan that borrows far less than the governor’s original proposal while using existing state revenue such as tobacco settlement funds to supplement the plan – a move that has prompted legislative action to secure control of the tobacco funds.

Many state and regional TBED organizations see federal laboratories as an integral partner in their efforts to promote technology development and commercialization. At least 22 of the leading state TBED organizations across the country have established partnerships with at least one federal laboratory to address a broad range of goals, according to a recent SSTI survey. Advancing collaborative research, strengthening industry clusters, transferring technology to/from federal labs and companies, and assisting in education and outreach were the most commonly cited reasons for pursuing closer relationships with the nation's network of 700 federal labs and research centers.

The survey also found state TBED-federal lab collaboration crosses state boundaries more easily than some may expect: SSTI discovered one-third of all relationships state TBED organizations have with federal laboratories take place at laboratories outside of their state. In addition, more state and local TBED organizations are looking to form new partnerships or expanding existing arrangements based on the successes seen from their initial efforts.

John Austin is the newly appointed executive director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan.

Tom Cech announced he will return to the University of Colorado at Boulder next year to pursue laboratory research and teaching after eight years as president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Sarah Djamshidi was selected as executive director of the Chesapeake Innovation Center.

John Hardin was named the acting executive director for the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology.

Wayne Hicks announced he is stepping down as the president and CEO of the Cincinnati Business Incubator to focus on other interests, including his work as executive director of the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation.

The secret is out – and it’s fairly simple. All you need is an outstanding TBED initiative with proven success that stands out among the crowd.   SSTI often receives news and updates on programs that are improving our nation’s competitiveness through science, technology and innovation. Now, we are calling upon the TBED community to share these success stories – and we’ll reward you for your efforts. All you have to do is put it in writing, and we promise it will be well worth your time. As an award winner, you will: Receive accolades and honors on SSTI's website and in the SSTI Weekly Digest; Bask in the glory of being a featured presenter during SSTI’s annual conference in Cleveland, Oct. 15-16, 2008; and, Take home an elegant vase embossed with your organization’s name – more a work of art than a trophy!

Send us your story by May 16!

On the heels of SSTI’s successful inaugural year awards program, recognizing exceptional achievements in approaches to improving state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation, we are pleased to invite applications for the 2008 awards cycle.   The purpose of the awards program is to showcase best practices across a broad spectrum of categories encompassing several elements that have been found in successful technology-based economies. The categories are: Expanding the Research Infrastructure; Commercializing Research; Building Entrepreneurial Capacity; Increasing Access to Capital; Enhancing the Science & Technology Workforce; and, Improving Competitiveness of Existing Industries.

The 2008 Excellence in TBED Awards call for applications is right around the corner, and this year, your organization could be recognized as a national leader in the TBED community.   As an award winner, you:

A complete description of this opportunity and others is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The University of Toledo is seeking someone to serve as director of the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio (UCEAO) in the university's Department of Research. The director will be an experienced administrator who will serve as a major spokesperson in Ohio on advanced energy and who can move UCEAO from its present developmental stage to a robust organization that will provide leadership statewide. The incumbent will have significant professional experience in an energy-related field, as well as significant relevant administrative, leadership, and management experience. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree or a Ph.D. is preferred.

Responding to a statewide economic downturn, Gov. Ted Strickland announced two major TBED initiatives, injecting more than $1 billion into job creation and offering a free year of tuition at Ohio public universities for high school seniors.   During his State of the State Address last week, Gov. Strickland outlined his Building Ohio Jobs proposal, a $1.7 billion stimulus package focusing on the creation of high-quality jobs in the fields of renewable energy and biomedicine. The plan would be financed through bonds, which requires legislative approval. Gov. Strickland asked lawmakers to put the initiative on the ballot for a fall vote, and if approved, funds would be allocated starting next year across the following sectors: $250 million in the advanced and renewable energy economy, including solar, wind and clean coal;

This is your opportunity to shine in the spotlight! By hosting SSTI’s 14th Annual Conference in 2010, you can increase your national and international visibility by showcasing the success of your state and/or community’s tech-based economic development efforts to thousands of TBED professionals. Letters of intent are due next week! You still have time to contact Noelle Sheets, director of membership services, at 614.901.1690 or sheets@ssti.org to request the bid packet. Some of the host benefits include:

It is only through the involvement of the each and every one of our more than 185 members that SSTI is able to continue its mission -- to lead, support and strengthen efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation. Together, we’re growing a strong and vibrant tech-based economic development community. New members include: State Sponsors Kansas Bioscience Authority Oklahoma Department of Commerce Affiliates California State University, Office of Tech Transfer & Commercialization George Mason University, Office of Research Development Institute for Triple Helix Innovation Luther Forest Technology Campus