For three decades, the SSTI Digest has been the source for news, insights, and analysis about technology-based economic development. We bring together stories on federal and state policy, funding opportunities, program models, and research that matter to people working to strengthen regional innovation economies.

The Digest is written for practitioners who are building partnerships, shaping programs, and making policy decisions in their regions. We focus on what’s practical, what’s emerging, and what you can learn from others doing similar work across the country.

This archive makes it easy to explore years of Digest issues, allowing you to track the field’s evolution, revisit key stories, and discover ideas worth revisiting. To stay current, subscribe to the SSTI Digest and get each edition delivered straight to your inbox.

Also consider becoming an SSTI member to help ensure the publication and library of past articles may remain available to the field. 

 

Index Reveals South Lags Overall U.S. Workforce

As low-skill, labor intensive jobs are increasingly replaced by technology or outsourced in the emerging knowledge-based economy, a two-tiered labor market has emerged, thus presenting a challenge for workers to either work cheaper or work smarter, says a new report from the Southern Growth Policies Board. Only one of those options is appealing for those trying to improve your standard of living.

Refusing to have the region left behind, Southern Growth developed a goal to create the talent pool needed to meet ongoing market needs and opportunities. The Southern Workforce Index is a working plan for tracking the South's progress in developing a knowledge-economy workforce and is intended as a guide for states to pursue their own individualized strategies.

People

Phil Bond, Under Secretary for Technology in the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced his resignation, effective May 13. A strong supporter of NIST and tech-based economic development, Bond will be missed as he becomes Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Monster Worldwide.

Diane Duff, former director of economic development and commerce for the National Governors Association, is the new executive director of the Southern Governors' Association.

Gov. Bill Richardson appointed William Enloe, CEO of Los Alamos National Bank, to serve as chairman of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership.

Randa Hayes is the new director of the business development and trade division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

People

Phil Bond, Under Secretary for Technology in the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced his resignation, effective May 13. A strong supporter of NIST and tech-based economic development, Bond will be missed as he becomes Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Monster Worldwide.

People

Diane Duff, former director of economic development and commerce for the National Governors Association, is the new executive director of the Southern Governors' Association.

People

Gov. Bill Richardson appointed William Enloe, CEO of Los Alamos National Bank, to serve as chairman of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership.

People

Randa Hayes is the new director of the business development and trade division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

People

The new Vice President for Business Ventures at the Mississippi Technology Alliance is Jim Lowery.

People

TechNet named Lezlee Westine, White House Director of Public Liaison, to serve as its new director.

Publisher's Note

During the months of May and June, the SSTI Weekly Digest and Funding Supplement will be published every other week. SSTI staff over the next two months will be completing work on two major projects that require focused concentration. We look forward to resuming the Digest and Funding Supplement on a weekly basis in July. The next issue of the Digest will be May 16.

Stem Cell Research Update: A State-by-State Analysis

While the topic of embryonic stem cell research has been at the forefront of S&T policy since 2001, attention has shifted to the states in the last six months. Last fall, California voters overwhelmingly approved a $3 billion bond issue to support embryonic stem cell research over the next decade. This vote triggered action in a number of states concerned about the loss of researchers to California and increased activity on Capitol Hill to overturn the Presidential directive that limits the use of federal research funds to only those embryonic stem cell lines derived before Aug. 9, 2001.

Ontario Launches Youth Entrepreneurship Program

Recognizing the economic benefits of engaging young people in science and technology, Ontario's McGuinty government recently launched the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program. The new program links high school students with researchers to support in-depth mentorship experience and postsecondary career advice.

The Provincial government will provide $3 million over three years to fund projects that include speaking engagements, workshops and demonstration projects, short-term projects in a lab or field research site, student science competitions, expert-in-residence programs, and lab mentorships. According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the goals of the program are to:

Transportation Outlines Research, Development & Technology Priorities

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released Research Activities of the Department of Transportation: A Report to Congress, identifying DOT’s current and projected research, development and technology priorities.

A newly formed DOT agency as of November 2004, RITA will lead cross-departmental efforts to identify and implement research priorities, and ensure that those investments are effective and align with DOT’s objectives. In addition, RITA will manage the University Transportation Centers program, which invests in university-based centers of excellence to advance innovation, research, education, and technology transfer.