SSTI Digest

On Thursday, the Obama administration announced it had selected the TechBelt region, encompassing northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, to host the pilot institute of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The new National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) will operate as a partnership of more than 60 companies, research universities, community colleges and nonprofit organizations from the region. As the pilot effort of NNMI, the partnership will receive $30 million in initial federal funding, with another $40 million from regional partners. The institute will be housed at Youngstown Business Incubator in Youngstown, OH.

The Small Business Administration released two Requests for Information (RFIs) on amendments to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In compliance with the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, SBA has made several key changes to the SBIR/STTR programs relating to eligibility, the award process, program administration and fraud, waste and abuse. Although the SBA has already published the final changes, it is requesting comments on the various amendments made. Public comments are due October 5, 2013, for both the SBIR RFI and STTR RFI.

SBA will hold two webinars on August 23 and 29, 2013. The webinars are intended to provide the public an overview of the amendments and an opportunity to ask questions regarding the changes to the policy directives. Both webinars are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST and should last approximately two hours. Register for the webinars...

With their vast knowledge about technology and access to expertise inside and outside the university, graduate and post doctoral students play an important role in helping spinoff successful companies. Moreover, universities should encourage students to explore entrepreneurship through spinoffs as a potential career option outside of academia. This recommendation is among three guidelines outlined in a recent report that examines the important roles of students and faculty in the university technology transfer process.

Citing that prior research examining tech transfer and entrepreneurship in universities has neglected the important role of student entrepreneurs, the researchers studied technology commercialization attempts by students and faculty from eight universities across the country focusing on the initial stages of spinoff development. Researchers identified four primary pathways that led to commercialization based on the varying roles of principal investigators (PI), experienced entrepreneurs, post-doctoral students, and graduate students.

While still vulnerable to economic shocks both domestically and from international developments, states are reporting improved revenue, spending within budgeted amounts, and the ability to shore up rainy day funds. Ten states and the District of Columbia expect to finish FY12 with year-end balances of 10 percent or more, and new budget gaps are rare and confined to a few states. Overall, state fiscal offices appear better positioned to handle the challenges ahead. Findings are from a survey of legislative fiscal directors in the summer 2012 State Budget Update from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). NCSL is quick to point out that recovery remains slow and uneven across the nation, however. Read the report...

Research collaborations between institutions of higher education are becoming an increasingly important facet of U.S. R&D, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF). A new NSF InfoBrief reveals that pass-through funds, R&D expenditures transferred from one institution to another, represented seven percent of total expenditures in 2009. In 2000, they represented only five percent of expenditures. NSF attributes the rise in multi-university efforts to federal initiatives that encourage collaboration, as well as technological advancements that have improved communication and data sharing. Read the NSF InfoBrief...

While job growth in the South is relatively strong (20 percent growth) compared to the nation (17 percent), many southern states are trapped in an economic cycle known as a low-wage/low-skill equilibrium, according to A Decade Behind: Breaking Out of the Low-Skill Trap in the Southern Economy — a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce. In this equilibrium, high-skill, high-wage industries lack the incentive to locate in the region and workers lack the incentives to pursue postsecondary education training due to limited demand for skilled workers.

Re- is a remarkable prefix. Use of these two little letters in front of a word can demand we pause to reflect, re-examine and review how our situation has changed — and so too should our actions.

Re- recognizes the status quo isn't acceptable anymore. It reveals a need to rethink what we're doing and to react differently. It requires us to reconsider our goals and desired outcomes. It urges us to respond more appropriately to a new reality with new opportunities.

Re- also signals better times start now. It's refreshing. Reinvigorating. Renewing. Rewarding.

SSTI's 16th Annual Conference, The Power of Re-, is about the awesome power of re- and what it can mean for U.S. growth strategies going forward. Join us for this one-of-a-kind event designed to appeal to everyone interested in the future of public-private initiatives to support regional growth. Our agenda includes sessions to:

Change is constant. Every era ushers in forces requiring people, businesses, institutions and governments to adapt. The Great Recession, globalization, demographic shifts and stunning technological advances herald a new era demanding significant transformation. You wouldn't know that looking at how most economic development is practiced, however. That has to change.

In the opening keynote of SSTI's Annual Conference, Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a former governor of Pennsylvania, will offer remarks challenging us to rethink how we encourage economic growth and factors we should consider in a new construct.

As the world changes, economic development must evolve to stay relevant. This year's conference will feature thought leaders on operating in a global environment, capital, higher education and demographics, who will share their take on how current trends in these areas will affect the innovation economy.

A moderated audience discussion will ensure this interactive plenary session will provide the spark to help us start re-thinking everything.

Learn about the plenary...

The Coca-Cola Company's Clyde Tuggle will share his perspective and response to the challenges of managing an enterprise in our complex global environment in a keynote address at SSTI's Annual Conference. Mr. Tuggle will discuss how his company is changing the game through social networking platforms to build one of the world's most recognized brands. Read more about our special keynote address..

With economic development at a crossroads, SSTI's Annual Conference will re-examine every facet of the field. This year's conference will offer breakout sessions in four thematic tracks: strategic direction, universities in economic development, investment & capital and from theory to practice. Participate in the track that most suits your interest, or mix-and-match to create a unique conference experience.

Conference tracks include:

Following the highly anticipated unveiling of 2012 award recipients during a special ceremony on October 29, the winners will meet with attendees for one-on-one interaction to share stories and offer advice. True to roundtable format, this session moves you around the room to promote dialogue and exposure to different viewpoints in the tech-based economic development field.

Learn from some of the freshest thinkers in the game on topics such as gaining momentum and support from legislators and key stakeholders; developing partnerships with community and industry leaders; and, measuring results to help convey impact and successes to the public. Learn more: http://www.ssticonference.org/?page_id=89.