SSTI Digest

It is an unfortunate and annoying consequence of politics that sometimes, with the change of gubernatorial administrations even within parties, excellent people with enviable records of delivering results for tech-based economic development programs lose their positions. SSTI has learned that Rod Linton and Michael Keene were among 33 "at-will" economic development staff at the Utah DCED fired en masse last Thursday. Gov. Huntsman, who began his term of office on Jan. 3, plans to run most economic development's activities from within the governor's office and to dismantle DCED. We wish Rod and Mike every success in their future endeavors.

Gov. Rick Perry is asking the Texas Legislature to appropriate $300 million for a new program designed to foster emerging technologies, enhance university-industry collaboration, and promote technology commercialization. If approved, the multi-faceted effort would be the most aggressive tech-based economic development initiative in the state's history. "Texas must now take the next step of investing more in emerging fields of technology in order to remain competitive in the evolving world economy," said Gov. Perry. The proposed Texas Emerging Technology Fund, if funded, would focus on research and job creation in high-tech industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, nanotechnology, environmental sciences and advanced energy. Most of the funds would benefit Texas colleges and universities and would be divided into three components, which include: $150 million to create Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization through collaborative efforts between institutions of higher education and the private sector. These centers are intended to become "hotbeds" of…

Money is following the jobs and excitement that represents China's economy these days according to an annual survey of equity investments in China mainland businesses. Compiled by Chinese venture capital (VC) research and consulting firm Zero2IPO, the fourth annual survey found 60 firms made 253 investments totalling $1.269 billion (US) in China mainland or mainland-related enterprises in 2004. The rapid growth in the world's fascination with all things Chinese also is evident by the number of deals increasing more than 43 percent over last year. The survey results mark the first time the total has surpassed $1 billion, with total funds increasing by 28 percent over the prior year. According to Zero2IPO, the Information and Computer (IC) industry received the bulk of the investments, reporting $424 million with a primary focus on IC design. Telecommunication firms captured 12 percent of the total, while 14 percent was invested in firms in the "traditional" industry sector. The Shanghai region received the greatest number of deals and highest investment amount, followed by Beijing.…

Four consecutive years of attempting to eliminate or minimize NASA's technology transfer activities are beginning to take a toll on the space agency's effectiveness at commercializing federally-supported technology, based on analysis from the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). Technology Transfer: Bringing Innovation to NASA and the Nation concludes organizational changes, budget difficulties, and a significant increase in privately funded research and development (R&D) nationally are hindrances for NASA in its technology transfer efforts. Technology transfer should be a core element of NASA's mission, but an overall lack of program focus requires the agency to rethink how it administers the function, a panel of experts states in the NAPA report. The panel found the agency's current system is not structured to meet its needs, nor those of stakeholder and public expectations. The Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP), which manages NASA's network of six Regional Technology Transfer Centers (RTTCs) and the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC), shifted in 2004 its…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has updated its online center of state science and engineering (S&E) profiles to include data from 2001-2003. The site provides convenient access to a PDF or downloadable Microsoft Excel Worksheet of 31 indicators for each state. A spreadsheet with summary statistics for the entire U.S. also is available. The profiles present dollar amounts and rankings for federal R&D obligations for 2002 by agency and performer for each state. Information included in each profile is compiled from several federal agencies, including NSF, the Small Business Administration, and the departments of Commerce, Education and Labor. State S&E Profiles 2001-2003 is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf05301/start.htm

This past fall, Vermont released what may be the nation's first statewide effort to lay out an economic development strategy based on the creative economy theories advanced most prominently by George Mason professor Richard Florida. Advancing Vermont's Creative Economy, prepared by the Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation (VCCI), offers recommendations that include collaboration among government entities, cultural organizations, and the private sector that utilizes cultural resources. Developers, venture capitalists, policymakers, and educators recognize the tremendous growth potential in the emerging creative economy, according to VCCI, and Vermont can capitalize on its strengths and systematic support in this sector. The report offers examples of social and economic benefits to investing in the arts and culture, and makes specific recommendations on how to grow the state's creative economy. In tracking the creative economy and assessing its value to the state, VCCI held six public forums around the state, participated in panel discussions and workshops, and administered…

NBIA Releases Revised Business Incubation Guide The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) last week released an updated version of its business incubation manual. The revised second edition of A Comprehensive Guide to Business Incubation includes 71 chapters geared toward helping small businesses grow and offers the advice of more than 200 incubation professionals. The guide is divided into four main sections: fundamentals of incubator development, best practices in incubator management, working with clients, and special topics in business incubation. To purchase a copy, visit the NBIA online bookstore at http://www.nbia.org/store. Albany, N.Y. Officials looking to convert an empty Department of Transportation building in Albany, N.Y., into a business incubator are hopeful it will bring 8,000 scientists, researchers and office workers in 20 years, according to a Times Union story. Located at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus, the building features 133,000 sq. ft. for prospective tenants. The managing board overseeing the campus's transformation to…

Virginia Bauer, former New Jersey commerce secretary, was sworn in as CEO and secretary of the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council announced Barry Broome will become the new president & CEO beginning in February. Michael DeAloia has been named tech czar for the City of Cleveland. Marlo Jenkins will be the new managing director of TechTown, Wayne State University's research and technology park. The Board of Directors of BioCrossroads, Indiana's life sciences initiative, announced David Johnson would succeed Charles Schalliol as CEO. Real estate developer Robert Klein II was selected as chairman of California's stem cell oversight committee. John Merrill will serve as executive director for the Greensboro Center for Innovative Development, a joint millennium campus and research park between University of North Carolina Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Eric Mittelstadt will become the new CEO of the National Council for Advanced…

Virginia Bauer, former New Jersey commerce secretary, was sworn in as CEO and secretary of the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council announced Barry Broome will become the new president & CEO beginning in February.

Michael DeAloia has been named tech czar for the City of Cleveland.

Marlo Jenkins will be the new managing director of TechTown, Wayne State University's research and technology park.