SSTI Digest

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy recently announced the launch of a manufacturing apprenticeship program that will provide wage subsidies and tuition reimbursement to participating students. The effort will begin as a two-year, $7.8 million initiative, focused on advanced manufacturing industries, including aerospace, medical devices, composite materials, digital manufacturing and others. Funding will derive from the state’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund. A recent report from The New England Council, Advanced to Advantageous: The Case for New England’s Manufacturing Revolution, notes that the region is in need of new models of apprenticeship to help smaller manufacturers find qualified workers while defraying the time and financial cost of training new hires. Read the announcement…

Now that many governors have signed spending bills and legislative sessions are drawing to a close, the SSTI Digest will check on the status of proposals related to the innovation economy, and examine the state of technology-based economic development funding in the states. This week, we review spending bills in Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont. AlaskaOn June 30, following a second special legislative session, Gov. Bill Walker signed a $9.8 billion (HB 2001) FY16 budget. The governor, however, vetoed $200 million in tax credits, which will delay payment to the state's oil and gas companies. The budget allocates $5.2 million for Community and Regional Affairs and $1.6 million for Economic Development. The campuses of the University of Alaska are slated to receive $247.5 million, with $785,900 for its Small Business Development Center. ConnecticutGov. Dannel P. Malloy signed a $40 billion biennial state budget (HB 7061) on June 30. The final bill rescinded and adjusted several business taxes that had been either passed or proposed earlier in the legislative session, according to the Hartford Courant. Initial funding…

This week, governors in Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Texas revealed their budget proposals, with commonalities around STEM education, workforce development, and university research initiatives. Governors in two states, New Hampshire and Texas, made growth in the innovation economy a specific priority area of their proposed budgets. New Hampshire“Supporting a more innovative economic future” is highlighted as a priority in Gov. Maggie Hassan’s proposed $11.5 billion 2016-2017 biennial budget. Included within this goal are a variety of proposed education, workforce, and economic development proposals such as: an increase of $13 million over the biennium compared to FY 2015 for the University System of New Hampshire; a $6.5 million increase over the biennium compared to FY 2015 for the state’s community college system; increased funding for Small Business Development Centers; additional funding for education and accelerator programs at business incubators; funding for a STEM specialist at the Department of Education to modernize the state’s STEM education efforts; and, the expansion of a pilot program between the Bureau of…

Over the past decade stem cell research has been touted as a game-changer in the life sciences and a potential fount of new biomedical innovations. As a result, several states have launched targeted programs to support stem cell research, despite the controversy that tends to surround the field. New research suggests that these programs have been effective at increasing the output of researchers in their respective states. State investments in California and Connecticut have helped researchers outperform their colleagues around the country, according to a recent paper published in Cell Stem Cell. Programs in New York and Maryland did not have quite the same impact, but helped research output in those states keep pace with other states. Authors Hillary B. Alberta, Albert Cheng, Emily L. Jackson, Matthew Pjecha and Aaron D. Levine examine the impact of stem cell programs in California, Connecticut, New York and Maryland, though the study also acknowledges efforts in Illinois and New Jersey. Over the past 10 years, each of these states has invested in basic and translational stem cell research for the stated purpose of advancing the science and creating jobs. The programs…

This article is part of SSTI's series on trends in state technology-based economic development legislation in 2014. Read our other entries covering legislative action on patent reform, research capacity, capital & tax credits, technology commercialization & infrastructure and  workforce & STEM. The recent uptick in U.S. manufacturing activity, along with the attention generated by additive manufacturing and the Makers movement, has led to an increase in state initiatives to help cash in on this growth. In recent months, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, and Arizona have all taken steps to build stronger manufacturing sectors through research collaborations, grants and tax credits. Leaders in Colorado and New Jersey have pursued their own cluster-specific efforts to build stronger high-tech industries. Among New York’s many TBED-focused efforts in the past year, the state has established a 20 percent property tax credit and eliminated the income tax for manufacturers. The FY15 budget also provides $680 million for the Buffalo Billion initiative. The funding fulfills Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2012 commitment to provide $1 billion to the…

Lawmakers included $30 million in the recently enacted FY15 budget to establish a fund to help smaller manufacturers modernize and grow with priority given to companies located in the state’s 42 communities designated as historic manufacturing hubs. Companies can use the funds for purchasing equipment, developing new technologies, supporting apprenticeships, and providing access to training and specialized education for workers. The fund also will support an increase in federally funded research efforts at the state’s universities and colleges, according to the governor’s press release. The budget also increases the bond authorization limit for the Manufacturing Assistance Act program by $100 million in FY15. This fund provides incentive-driven direct loans for projects within larger companies that demonstrate strong economic development potential. The 2014-15 budget signed into law in June 2013 authorized $100 million in FY14 for the program, bringing its total to $200 million over the biennium. The proposals were part of Gov. Dan Malloy’s workforce development agenda outlined earlier this year (see previous Digest article).

A proposal first announced during Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2013 State of the State address came to fruition earlier this month with a request for proposals (RFP) to fund clean energy projects through New York’s newly established green bank. A green bank is a state-sponsored nonprofit lender that provides long-term, low-cost financing support. Its purpose is to increase public-private investing in clean energy while offering consumers lower-cost energy solutions, according to the Green Bank Academy. New York’s $1 billion initiative was capitalized with initial funding of $210 million in December, including $165 million redirected from other clean-energy programs. Through the RFP, the bank seeks financing proposals from industry participants and financial institutions including energy service companies, developers, equipment manufacturers and others. Projects supported by the bank can include solar, wind and other renewable energy generation technologies. Read the press release. Connecticut was the first state to establish a green bank in 2011, but several other states have demonstrated interest. Participants from at least 11 other states wanting to…

Having world-class facilities to train workers or support research in fields most likely to benefit the state is a draw for many reasons. Attracting outside investment, retaining talent and generating buzz are just a few of the benefits. Last year, Connecticut lawmakers dedicated more than $2 billion to expand science and technology education on the campuses of the University of Connecticut, including construction of new STEM facilities and for build research and teaching labs. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is the latest state leader to announce funding proposals aimed at either building new facilities or making capital improvements for training students in high-wage, high-demand fields. Following years of cuts to higher education during the recession, many states are poised to dedicate significant funds for scholarship programs, tuition freezes and for training more students in STEM fields – a common theme during the State of the State addresses. Supporting the notion that a college degree is worth the cost, a recent analysis from the Pew Research Center found the widest earnings gap for college graduates in 48 years. The report, The Rising Cost of Not Going to…

Companies that locate in the 42 communities known as historic manufacturing hubs would be given priority to receive funds for modernizing production, purchasing equipment, developing new technologies, and training workers under a proposal introduced by Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy. The Advanced Manufacturing Fund would be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development with support from an advisory committee that includes industry experts. With an initial commitment of $25 million, expected to last two years, companies could apply for funds to grow and modernize operations and equipment. Funds also could be used to attract new companies to the state and support universities’ efforts to increase federally funded research activity, according to a press release. By giving priority to towns with a history rich in manufacturing, the governor hopes to help revive distressed communities and address high unemployment rates in those areas. Funding is included in the FY15 governor’s midterm capital budget adjustments. Gov. Malloy also announced $100 million in additional funding for the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA), a program that…

The fifth installment of SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Connecticut, Maine, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Read part I, part II, part III and part IV.   Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy, State of the State Address, Feb. 6, 2014 “Here are three ways we can continue helping employers to grow jobs this session. “First, we can continue to fund the Small Business Express program, which has a proven record of success. “Second, the budget adjustments I submit to you today include $125 million to support Connecticut businesses. That includes increased funding for the Manufacturing Assistance Act, to help grow some of those target industries I mentioned, as well as a new Advanced Manufacturing Fund. “Together these initiatives will provide incentive-driven financial assistance to Connecticut businesses to help them modernize their technologies, focus on research and development, and create the jobs of tomorrow. … “... To ensure that our students are better prepared for college and a career when they finish high school, particularly in high-tech…

Ted McAleer has resigned as executive director of USTAR. Also Gary Herbert has announced the appointment of former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell as chair of the USTAR Governing Authority. Bell, now president and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association, takes the place of outgoing chair Dinesh Patel. Martha Connolly has been named director of bioentrepreneurship, a new program supported by the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) and the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Matthew Nemerson, president of the Connecticut Technology Council for the past decade announced he has taken a new position as Mayor Toni Harps’ economic development director in New Haven. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman announced  the formation of a two-state, regional economic development organization, Advance Southwest Iowa. Mike Dellinger, who currently works with the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, will lead Advance Southwest as its executive director. Dellinger will have an office at the Greater Omaha Chamber.

With bright colors, interesting graphics, and intuitive navigation, the new look of Connecticut Innovations (CI) captures attention. The launch of CI's new brand identity, complete with an updated message platform and logo, hopes to better reflect the organization's mission and promote their resources to attract entrepreneurs. The new website highlights services offered by the three entities under CI's umbrella, including the merger with the Connecticut Development Authority in 2012 and the Small Business Innovation Group in 2009. Companies and investors are provided information on the Resources page, including articles, case studies and stats. Several educational features such as videos, webinars and podcasts are planned for a later launch. Explore the website...