SSTI Digest

The Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC) selected Jerry MacLean as its new executive director. MacLean replaces Gail Milligan, who will remain with VPTC through June to assist with the transition.

The Purdue Center for Regional Development has appointed Ed Morrison to the position of economic policy advisor.

Yuka Nagashima was named executive director of Hawaii's High Technology Development Corporation.

Automation Alley, which promotes economic growth in Southeast Michigan, has hired Noel Nevshehir to direct its international business center.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council Foundation has changed its name to the Equal Footing Foundation to better communicate its mission to the community.

The Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology named Leon Sandler as its new executive director.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney named Deborah Shufrin as director of the state's Department of Business and Technology. Shufrin replaces Renee Fry, who stepped down to serve as the governor's duputy chief of staff.

The second installment to Walkin' the Tech Talkin' Gov Walk (see the April 17 issue of the Digest) covers the outcomes of the 2006 legislative sessions within four states, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii and Kentucky. Following is a synopsis of bills passed and budget appropriations relevant to tech-based economic development and the priorities outlined in respective gubernatorial addresses at the beginning of 2006. Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell signed into law SB 702, An Act Concerning Jobs for the 21st Century, a major component of her economic development strategy (see the Feb. 20 issue of the Digest). The core legislation exempts all manufacturing machinery and equipment from local property tax after a five-year phase out of the tax. Other provisions include: Authorization for new grants to entities operating incubator facilities that house and provide services to small tech-based companies; New programs at Connecticut Innovations to provide venture capital to businesses in early stages of product development and to provide matching grants to micro-businesses that receive…

The annual Earth Day celebrations provide an opportunity for the least environmentally friendly corporations and politicians in America to appear green by sponsoring litter pick-ups or standing in front of hydrogen fueled cars. More often, however, the U.S. policy debate sees a "jobs versus environment" battle, or most recently, cheaper gas versus environmental integrity. A recent index prepared by Yale University and Columbia University for the World Economic Forum reveals, however, most of the world's top innovative countries are also among the highest performers on 16 environmental indicators, ahead of the U.S. More telling, is that the areas the U.S. is weakest -- renewable energy, water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions -- also provide some of the greatest opportunities or obstacles for economic growth as the 21st century unfolds. Produced by the Center for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University and the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) identifies targets for environmental performance and measures how close each country comes to…

A significant increase in venture-backed exits is signaling a new phase in the evolution of the global venture capital industry, according to a report released May 3 by Ernst & Young. Venture-backed company exits grew in value and number in 2005, as the U.S. and Israel saw increasing merger and acquisition (M&A) valuations, while Europe experienced an increase in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) - a trend that is set to continue this year and into 2007, according to Transition, the fourth annual Ernst & Young Venture Capital Insight Report. The following summary is from the Ernst & Young press release accompanying the report: "Global consumer markets, increased international competition, investment opportunities in emerging markets, the higher cost of building a company in the mature markets and advancements in technology are all continuing to drive the globalization of both venture funds and their portfolio companies. "Private, venture-backed companies must increasingly act like multinationals earlier in their life cycles, taking advantage of the new global ecosystem that matches the increased…

It's probably the case that not all of your travel over the next few months will be for personal vacation. Conference excursions can stimulate new ideas, add to your professional growth, and establish or strengthen opportunities for collaboration. In addition to reserving Oct. 31-Nov. 2 for SSTI's 10th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, we encourage you to check out our web calendar of events to scan more than 140 additional opportunities for professional development. While most national technology-based economic development (TBED) organizations, unfortunately, limit announcements to their own events or those of members, SSTI attempts on its web calendar to include activities spanning most issues related to growing a knowledge economy. Examples of three upcoming events include: June 4-6 The Southern Innovation Summit, to be held at the New Orleans Marriott, will focus on the creation, accumulation and application of knowledge for the South's businesses, universities, citizens and governments, and develop strategies for increasing innovation as part of the South's economic growth…

With preparations for SSTI's 10th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 well underway, we have received many questions from local, regional and state organizations wanting to host the premier event for the tech-based economic development (TBED) profession in 2007. Because of the increased interest, SSTI has bumped up its schedule for selecting the 2007 site. We are accepting nominations of host organizations and locations for SSTI's 11th Annual Conference until July 30, 2006. Held in October to early November each year, SSTI’s annual two-and-a-half day event attracts approximately 300-400 participants from more than 40 states and several countries. The conference is especially designed for those engaged in TBED on the local, regional, state or national level. Over the past 10 years, SSTI’s annual conference has grown to become the nation’s largest and most diverse gathering of the TBED community. To be the host organization or location for SSTI's conference is to showcase nationally and internationally the success of your state, region or community TBED efforts. Specific…