SSTI Digest

The second installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs' series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Our first installment was in the Jan. 5 Digest. ArkansasGov. Mike Beebe, State of the State Address, Jan. 11, 2011"I want to tie funding for higher-education institutions more closely to coursework completion and graduation rates, not simply to enrollment. These tax dollars must produce college graduates, not just fill up seats. We can and must double the number of college graduates in Arkansas by 2025 if we are to stay competitive. This is a lofty goal aimed at the future, but we must begin implementing it today." ConnecticutGov. Dan Malloy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 5, 2011"We will put in place an economic development strategy that makes sense for the 21st century economy, aggressively competing with other states and nations for lucrative biotech, nanotech, fuel cell technology and stem cell research jobs. "We will join Connecticut to the Energy Economy, attracting companies that reduce our…

Holli Baumunk, vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, has been named president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association. Georgia Gov. Sunny Perdue has tapped Heidi Green to replace Ken Stewart as commissioner of the State of Georgia's Economic Development Department. Green, who currently serves as deputy commissioner for Global Commerce, will assume the new role at the end of June. Beginning July 19, Stewart will become senior advisor on Industry Strategy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Marie Johns has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Johns will be the second-ranking official at SBA, with major responsibility for management, policy development and program supervision. Tom Rankin has been selected to lead the Washington Clean Technology Alliance as president and chief executive. Terri Sheldon has been named vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development at The University of North Carolina Greensboro.

The Research & Technology Development (RTD) Program, a flagship program of the Washington Technology Center has helped fill a critical role in enhancing Washington state's efforts in commercializing research by bringing companies and university researchers together. In SSTI's exclusive interview, Chris Coleman shares valuable insight on how the program continues to produce impressive returns after nearly two decades. Download the interview ...

"Ensuring that there is a clear economic development benefit as part of the criteria for awarding a proposal [is a best practice]." - Chris Coleman Click here to listen to SSTI's Interview with Chris Coleman of the Washington Technology Center SSTI has an effective new learning tool for TBED policymakers and practitioners seeking guidance in approaches to building and sustaining tech-based economies. Through exclusive interviews with Excellence in TBED Award recipients, find out first-hand how these award-winning initiatives successfully responded to a critical need by applying innovative approaches to generate substantial economic gains for their region. 2009 Winner for the Commercializing Research category For nearly two decades, the Research & Technology Development (RTD) Program, a flagship program of the Washington Technology Center, has helped fill a critical role in enhancing Washington state's efforts in commercializing research by bringing companies and university researchers together. Since 1995, the program has awarded more than $21 million to 335 projects. RTD program companies and researchers…

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell dropped his previous nomination, Robert Sledd, as his secretary for Commerce and Trade and instead nominated businessman James Cheng. Cheng, whose nomination needs to be confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate, was sworn in on January 17. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary George Cornelius will step down on June 30 to become the president of Bridgewater College in Virginia. Rick LeFaivre and Tom Clement are joining the UW Center for Commercialization as key deputies to vice provost Linden Rhoads. LeFaive will split his time evenly between the university and his other job as a managing director at OVP Venture Partners, while Clement is expected to work full-time for about 18 months. Kathay Rennels, three-term Larimer County commissioner and longtime public workforce development leader in Colorado, has been named director of economic development at Colorado State University.

Entering its tenth year covering governors’ State of the State, Budget and Inaugural Addresses, SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from across the nation. The first edition includes excerpts from speeches delivered in the following states: Arizona Gov. Janice Brewer, State of the State Address, Jan. 11, 2010 “… I am taking the following specific actions to make Arizona even more competitive in creating jobs. First, I am announcing the formation of a Governor's Jobs Cabinet. This team of key state agency directors will cut through the red tape and the green tape to speed job creation. “Second, I will be allocating a significant portion of remaining federal stimulus funds directly to bring new jobs to Arizona. Specifically, I am devoting $10 million in one-time federal stimulus funds for job training. … “… Third, under the leadership of Jerry Colangelo and Commerce Director Don Cardon ... I have created the Governor's Commerce Advisory Council. Working with other Arizona business leaders, they will transform the Department of Commerce into…

The newly-created Clean Energy Leadership Council, convened by the Washington governor's office and a state-wide public-private clean energy alliance, held its first meeting. The council will deliver a clean energy strategy and recommendations by December 1, 2010. Vicki Gaddy has been appointed director of workforce development for BioNJ. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear shuffled two top positions in his administration. Larry Hayes will be secretary of the state Economic Development Cabinet and budget director Mary Lassiter will replace Hayes as Executive Cabinet secretary. Hayes has been interim Economic Development Cabinet secretary since last September. Lassiter will keep her position as budget director. Cecil Burge is retiring as the University of Southern Mississippi , vice president for research and economic development after leading the university's research enterprise for the past five-and-one-half years. His retirement is effective Dec. 31. A national search for a successor will begin later this fall. The Burnham Institute for Medical Research and the University of California, Santa Barbara have named biomedical researcher Jamey Marth director…

Lawmakers across several western states have reached budget agreements for the upcoming fiscal year or biennium allocating decreased or level funding for tech-based economic development efforts. Lawmakers also passed new legislation supporting job-creation efforts and investments in alternative energy. While funding for many of these programs appear secure in FY10, additional spending cuts are anticipated in the coming months if state revenues continue to decline. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed the budget bill (SB 09-259) earlier this month providing $19.2 billion in FY10, including $4.5 million for continued investment in the state's bioscience industry. Although the appropriation for the Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program is $1 million less than last fiscal year, it is the second installment approved by lawmakers for the five-year, $26.5 million initiative (see the May 14, 2008 issue of the Digest). Funding for this initiative is distributed for proof-of-concept grants, support for early-stage companies and infrastructure. Additional economic development appropriations include $2.7 million for Colorado First customized job training, $1.4…

One of the biggest challenges for green technologies and products is breaking into the market. Achieving the critical mass that allows production volume to drive down prices is difficult, particularly when the commodity being sold is, at least initially, more expensive to make because more of the actual cost of production is captured in the green company's business model. Successful state, university and local TBED strategies to grow green(er) companies help fund product demonstrations and early adoption strategies to help with market penetration.  In Toronto, a broad group of CEOs took matters into their own hands.  Greening Greater Toronto has announced the creation of a working group comprised of more than 25 senior executives who will encourage and lead other organizations to buy products and services that minimize environmental impact and create green jobs. The working group, called the Green Procurement Leadership Council, represents approximately $40 billion in annual buying power. In addition to creating the Green Procurement Leadership Council, Greening Greater Toronto plans to: Host the Green Procurements Marketplace event…

Lonnie Emard has been named interim director of the Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management, a recently formed collaboration of business, academic and economic development organizations intended to build information technology (IT) opportunities in South Carolina. Boise State University has tapped Mary Givens as director of the newly formed Office of Technology Transfer within the university's Division of Research.   G.P. "Bud" Peterson, chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder, was named the eleventh president of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn named a former aide, Warren Ribley, as director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire named former Microsoft Corp. Executive A. Rogers Weed IV as state commerce secretary. The governor also is seeking to reconstitute the agency Weed will head, currently the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, as the state Department of Commerce. The measure, HB2242, is awaiting a floor vote in the house.

DATELINE: OLYMPIA, Wash. Gov. Christine Gregoire, D-Wash., issued the following press release: Gov. Chris Gregoire today praised the state's Economic Development Commission, which just released its strategic plan to help guide Washington as it develops a stronger, 21st century economy. "This report confirms that Washington is on the right track to build a more sustainable economy," Gregoire said. "I applaud the commission for its tireless work to review our programs and ensure that Washington will continue to support and strengthen our local businesses." In 2007, the state Legislature charged the commission with creating a statewide economic development strategy to guide the operation of the state's economic development programs, infrastructure investments, work force training and small business assistance. The commission's economic development strategy was formulated by business, education, research and government leaders from across the state. "An innovation economy requires doing new and different things very well," said Egils Milbergs…

Many of Washington's programs aimed at enhancing the skills of educators in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) fields will continue to receive state support in the coming biennium under Gov. Christine Gregoire's budget proposal - while other TBED initiatives did not fare as well. The governor's fiscal year 2009-11 budget recommends a total of $17.5 million from the general fund and the Education Legacy Trust Fund to support the state's "foundational math and science effort," which includes school district math and science coaches, math and science standards and curriculum development, after-school math assistance and support for the LASER science program. Specific recommendations include: $7.5 million to provide grants for instructional coaches in math and science for middle and high schools; $3.1 million each fiscal year for the LASER program, a statewide program designed to implement an inquiry-based K-8 science education program; $1.85 million for specialized professional development for one math teacher and one science teacher in each middle and high school; $1.4 million for three additional professional development days for…