SSTI Digest

The Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance (larta) has released its 2001 Federal Technology Funding Guide which profiles 89 regularly scheduled federal programs that support technology development and deployment. Each profile includes descriptions, contact information, timelines, and examples. Targeted to technology companies, the guide presents only programs with eligibility requirements open to for-profit businesses.  The free, 152-page Guide is downloadable from: http://www.larta.org/ecommerce/FTFG2001.htm

Using the microsystems industry in the Southwest as a model, Ross DeVol, Director of Regional and Demographic Studies of the Milken Institute, has written Blueprint for a High-Tech Cluster, a 40-page policy brief on one of the hottest trends for tech-based economic development. Recognizing the importance of technology and knowledge in the New Economy, and that "knowledge is generated, transmitted and shared more efficiently in close proximity," DeVol asserts that those regions with leading clusters in key technologies will enjoy greater economic growth and stability. "Success in creating high-tech clusters is now the distinguishing determinant in regional vitality," states DeVol.  Blueprint outlines and describes ten specific strategies for developing a high-tech cluster:  "tech transfer policies should be made part of research facilities' charters  create public/private organizations to foster commercialization success  avoid competing spheres of influence  team with related industries for joint-development  invest…

Academic Indirect Cost Rates  Paying for University Research Facilities and Administration, a report released this week by the RAND Science & Technology Policy Institute, finds universities are already paying a significant share of the costs associated with their research partnership with the federal government. Pressures to increase that cost-sharing could lead to a slowdown in investment on research and research infrastructure and, potentially, to a decline in the partnership's contributions to health, education, defense, science and other vital research areas, according to the report's authors, Charles A. Goldman and T. Williams, with David M. Adamson and Kathy Rosenblatt.  Federal spending for scientific research at U.S. academic institutions amounts to approximately $15 billion each year. Roughly one-fourth of the total, around $3.75 billion, is for indirect costs or facilities and administration (F&A). Using two different calculation methods, the study's authors estimate that universities have been recovering between 70 and 90 percent of their federal project F&A…

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as big defense contractors closed their doors and unemployment climbed, San Diego looked as if it might not recover. Between 1990-1993 alone, nearly 60,000 high-paying jobs were lost to defense and aerospace cutbacks. Although the region had some of the ingredients to be successful (defense technologies, a strong university, medical and bioscience institutes, and a desirable climate), the players did not come together to face their economic woes. It took losing two major bids for federal R&D facilities to spur community leaders to action. Developing High-Technology Communities: San Diego, prepared by Innovation Associates for the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, tells the San Diego story with supporting statistics of how the region turned things around through technology-based economic development. With all of the elements in place, small technology businesses emerged to become the number one job creating mechanism for the San Diego area. By 1998, San Diego had 100,000 more jobs than it had in 1990, despite the defense cutbacks just a few…

Last week, Governor Gray Davis signed into law California’s $99.4 billion budget which provides nearly $305 million for science and technology related programs plus an additional $20 million in research and development tax credits. Specific  initiatives include: Improving access to computers and technology in the classroom such as expanding student access to advanced placement courses on-line, staff development and technical assistance, and final implementation of the Digital High School Program ($215 million); Creating three California Institutes for Science and Innovation on different University of California campuses ($75 million). The institutes will combine technological and scientific research as well as train and educate California’s future scientists and technology leaders; Supporting the New Economy Initiative for: space commerce and aeronautics; grants to match federal and private funds for the Next Generation Internet Centers; E-Commerce in Rural Economic Regions Demonstration Project; California Technology Investment Partnership Program;…

Forbes magazine, in conjunction with the Milken Institute, released on Monday its second annual "Best Places for Business and Careers" - a ranking of the top 200 metropolitan areas in the United States. The Forbes-Milken Institute list looks at two critical factors to determine which metro areas are the most dynamic: jobs and earnings, and high-technology growth and output. All of the numbers were provided by the Institute's Regional and Demographic Studies group as part of its ongoing research into how high-tech impacts regional economies.  The top ten metro areas were:  1. Austin-San Marcos, Texas  2. Atlanta, Georgia  3. Santa Rosa, California  4. Boulder-Longmont, Colorado  5. Boise City, Idaho  6. San Diego, California  7. Orange County, California  8. San Antonio, Texas  9. West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Florida  10. Colorado Springs, Colorado  To view all 200…

Technology Innovation Centers (TICs), defined broadly to include incubators, business support programs and web services, direct providers, and facilitators/gatekeepers, can be successful instruments for technology-based economic development if done properly, according to the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance's recent report Technology Innovation Centers: A Guide to Principles and Best Practices. The report provides public and private organizations with key tools for getting their technology innovation center off to the right start. The guide begins by identifying and explaining four basic principles for TIC development: focus on wealth generation, encourage the entrepreneurial spirit, provide value to client businesses and stakeholders, and operate the center as a business. The principles themselves reveal the transformation underway in technology-based economic development. Principle one, for instance, encourages centers shift their focus to the drivers of entrepreneurial activity, such as wealth generation, and away from the traditional measures of job creation, revitalization and capitalization…

Cliff Numark has been named CEO for the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance, filling the position vacated by Joe Raguso when he became Deputy Secretary in the California Department of Trade and Commerce.

The National Academy Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit organization, and President Clinton have announced the selection of 12 public high schools to pilot the Academy of Information Technology program. The program is intended to prepare predominantly at-risk high school students for careers in information technology fields. The program will provide a ninth-through-twelfth-grade curriculum with opportunities to partner with community colleges, universities, and businesses. The 12 schools were selected from among nearly 100 applicants. The pilot sites were chosen for demonstrating leadership and flexibility; a commitment to career education; an ability to secure mentors, internships, and teacher training from local business partners; and a baseline of technological capabilities that will be enhanced through NAF program grants. The schools are located in: Yonkers, New York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Prince George's County, Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland; Waco, Texas; San Jose, California; Chula Vista, California; Broward County, Florida; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Omaha, Nebraska; Allentown, Pennsylvania;…

California Governor Gray Davis has appointed Joseph A. Raguso as Deputy Secretary for Strategic Technology for the Trade and Commerce Agency. Mr. Raguso currently serves as President and CEO for the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance (SDRTA), a position he has held since 1997. Mr. Raguso will begin serving in his new capacity on January 31. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Raguso was manager of the Science and Technology Policy and Projects for the University of California, San Diego. From 1994 to 1996, he served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Commerce. With Mr Raguso’s appointment, the SDRTA is seeking a new President and CEO of the 501 c(3). The SDRTA's mission is to promote technology-based economic development in San Diego County, with a particular focus on increasing the participation of the region's citizens in the New Economy. Focus programs include entrepreneur assistance, analysis regarding San Diego's high-tech economy, and partnerships to broaden citizen's access to technology.  The organization receives funding from local and state…

The Sacramento Bee recently ran a story showing there is a downside for California being home of the Silicon Valley phenomenon: 20 percent of the 6,600 computer and telecommunications positions within the California state government are vacant. Some local governments are reporting even higher vacancy rates. According to the story, the result for California residents is that they do not have the World Wide Web convenience of government service delivery now offered in many other states — such as online vehicle registration or fishing license purchases. More serious information needs such as tracking child support payments also are not being addressed because of the lack of trained workers. Other sites, once created cannot be updated because the trained staff have left for positions in private business. Slow government hiring processes and noncompetitive civil salaries and benefits are cited as the reasons for the problem.

Earlier this year, Michigan initiated plans to spend $1 billion over the next 20 years for life sciences research, development, and commercialization. With this commitment, Michigan became the first state to use its tobacco settlement funds to bolster technology-based economic development programs. Other states and localities are considering using their share of the tobacco settlement funds for science and technology programs as well. Recent proposals include: Maryland: Governor Parris Glendening proposed that the state allocate $500 million, or $50 million per year for 10 years, to develop a statewide cancer care network, build world class clinical and research programs, construct new cancer-fighting infrastructure, and develop specific plans for cancer education, prevention, research, and treatment. Ohio: This week, the State Senate passed legislation distributing over 12 years $443 million for a biomedical research and technology transfer fund to be administered by the Ohio Board of Regents. Governor Taft had proposed spending $1.8 billion over 25 years on biomedical research…