SSTI Digest

Leadership Oklahoma announced that Doug Fuller will be the organization's new director, effective May 7.

Beth Gorin stepped down as CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.

Rick Homans will step down as secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department to become executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, effective May 1.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has named Robert Hooley as vice president of emerging technology.

The Montana SBIR Outreach Program is changing its name to the Montana Technology Innovation Partnership.

J.D. Stack replaces Oleg Kaganovich as the new CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance.

As the 2007 legislative session in Maryland came to a close last week, Gov. Martin O'Malley celebrated an important victory for the future of life sciences with a $10 million increase for stem cell research and the creation of a life sciences advisory board. Gov. O'Malley requested the 66 percent increase during his Jan. 31 State of the State Address (see the Feb. 19, 2007 issue of the Digest). The General Assembly approved the fiscal year 2008 budget last week, designating $30.5 million to the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). Included in this amount is $25 million for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, a $10 million increase over FY 2007. Earlier this year, the Maryland Stem Cell Commission reported that an increase of this amount was imperative in order to fund two proposals released under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 (see the Jan. 29, 2007 issue of the Digest). The balance of funds in the TEDCO budget is mainly for the organization's investment programs - including the Maryland Technology Transfer program, the University Technology Development Fund and Incubator Support - according to budget documents.…

It’s no secret that research and education are important to a state’s economy, but for many poorer states, they may be even more vital than previously believed. A few recent studies suggest that increasing the number of patents and the education level of residents in a state could be a valuable first step in overcoming persistent poverty. In a May 2006 working paper, Paul Bauer and Mark Schweitzer of the Federal Bank of Cleveland and Scott Shane of Case Western University argue that a state's stocks of knowledge, as measured by its patents and its high school and university graduation rates, are the most important determinants of state per capita income. The authors conclude that policymakers in states with lower incomes should focus their efforts on boosting these stocks of knowledge in order to build in-state wealth.   Economic development leaders in Kentucky also have been examining the Commonwealth’s consistent low ranking for personal wealth, and it would appear to be a prime candidate for such an approach. Kentucky is the sixth-poorest state in per capita income -- the same rank the state held 27 years ago. It…

While the Tucson area is growing rapidly, surpassing one million residents last fall, regional economic development officials are concerned about personal income levels keeping pace with the growth. They argue that a highly-skilled and educated workforce within existing and emerging clusters is imperative to raise per capita personal income and to improve the region’s economic growth along with its burgeoning population.   Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) recently released an Economic Blueprint that identifies five major focus areas and outlines an action plan utilizing a cluster development strategy for sustained growth and a competitive state economy. These areas include: High-skilled/high-wage jobs; Educational excellence; Urban renaissance; Livable communities; and, Collaborative governance and stewardship. According to the analysis, accelerated workforce training is essential in preparing workers for existing high-quality jobs in the short-term. However, raising educational attainment rates is the long-term solution for positioning the region as a knowledge job center.  …

It’s a question that many policymakers and researchers across the world are attempting to answer. A recent paper by Sharon Belenzon and Mark Schankerman, Harnessing Success: Determinants of University Technology Licensing Performance, adds to the growing body of knowledge on the topic, exploring how the differences between universities may impact the income generated by licensing technology. Universities with a strong commitment to local development objectives compared to other objectives, such as revenue generation, for example, produced on average 30 percent less income per license, the authors found. Additionally, on average, 30 to 40 percent more income per license was generated for universities that provided performance incentives for their efforts.   Universities with strong local development commitments, however, are more likely to license to local firms. Belenzon and Schankerman conclude, “Stronger government constraints are ‘costly’ in terms of foregone license income and start-up activity.” But, it appears these same constraints localize the impact of university research – the very reason the constraints or objectives even exist. …

Please plan on joining us in Baltimore on October 18-19. You can learn firsthand how the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund successfully secured the increase in funding and how the initiatives are progressing, all while enjoying the view of the gorgeous Inner Harbor (see related story in this Digest). In a few weeks, we'll be asking our members to evaluate ideas for conference sessions. These ratings determine the topics we focus on and the sessions being offered. While all interested parties can submit ideas, only members receive the exclusive opportunity to finalize the conference agenda by voting on session topics. You are invited to participate in the process by becoming a member today by visiting http://www.ssti.org/benefits.htm "The SSTI National Conference gives me and my team the opportunity to discuss and network with people who understand 'technology and innovation ideas and strategies' that no other group in the country understands", said Tom Persons, president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Technology Alliance. "It is always a shot of adrenaline, you just want the conference to go on another few…

Lyne Bouchard is the president and CEO of TechnoMontréal, a new umbrella organization for the city's information and communications technology cluster. Rich Cook has joined the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative as venture center director. Jeffrey Corcoran has been named director of the new SUNY Fredonia High Technology Incubator in Dunkirk, N.Y. Anna Ehnmark was appointed executive director of the Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington. John Gee was named president and CEO of the Information Technology Association of Wisconsin. Donna Kent resigned as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council to accept a position with Televerde, a marketing service solutions provider based in Tempe. Lisa Kuuttila is the first CEO of Michigan State University Technologies, a business organization to train MSU students in the commercialization of science and technology. Enterprise Florida selected Louis Laubscher to replace Howard Haug as its…