SSTI Digest

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius named Howard Fricke to serve as secretary of the state's Commerce Department.

Don Hutchinson is the new director of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development for the city of New Orleans.

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell named Marie O'Brien to oversee the Connecticut Development Authority.

DC Tech, the Washington DC Technology Council, announced Penny Pickett will be the new president.

IEDC's legislative director, Toby Rittner, has been named executive director of the Council of Development Finance Agencies.

Jay Tieber is the new president of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds.

The vast majority of the nation's four million science and engineering (S&E) occupations are held by individuals with a bachelor's degree education or higher; however, a surprising 22 percent - 1.036 million - are not, according to a National Science Foundation (NSF) InfoBrief released last week. The analysis, based on the April 2003 Current Population Survey, reveals 5 percent of S&E workers hold only a high school diploma and 17 percent reported an associate's degree as their highest level of educational attainment. While not argued in NSF's InfoBrief, the findings support arguments for the important role vocational education and community colleges can play in training a regional tech-based economic development workforce. This is particularly apparent when the data are sorted by occupational group. Computer and math sciences hold the greatest opportunity for individuals with less than a bachelor's degree, according to the report, where they already comprise 40 percent of all positions. Only 7 percent of physical science occupations are held by individuals with a high school diploma or…

A recent study completed for Iowa calls for continued investment in the biosciences - a 10-year, $302 million plan - to grow the industry and to create new job opportunities for the state. Iowa's Bioscience Pathway for Development, released earlier this month, highlights Iowa’s core competencies and platforms for development of the biosciences industry. The researchers recognize three important assets: strong bioscience research capacity at several of the state's universities; core bio-industrial competencies in sectors such as biomass conversion, traditional biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and a significant workforce base already employed in bioscience-related jobs. In fact, the report contends that Iowa's employment in the biosciences industry is 24 percent higher than the national average, with jobs paying $12,000 more than the state's median income. This large employment base is concentrated in organic and agricultural chemicals, with a focus on industrial applications geared toward energy, industrial commodities and specialty health products. The plan…

Conditions favorable for entrepreneurship in 2003 laid the foundation for job gains in 2004, according to a report issued last week U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy. Small Business Economic Indicators for 2003 notes that “the outlook for future small business expansion was positive at the end of 2003” due to the progress of some important economic indicators throughout the year. Among the report's highlights, 2003 saw an estimated 572,900 employer firm births and 554,800 terminations. This resulted in a net increase in employer firms of 18,100, or 0.3 percent, while the number of non-incorporated self-employed rose by 369,000, or 3.7 percent. The report also confirmed that by the year’s end interest rates were low and banks had relaxed lending standards, leading to an uptick in job creation and employment. SSTI has prepared a table presenting "business churning" statistics and rankings for all 50 states and the District of Columbia over 2002-2003, using data from the SBA indicator report. Business churning is a measure of new firm births and existing firm deaths…

Few of us would consider one piece of a jigsaw puzzle to be sufficient for comprehending the whole picture. Similarly, a state or regional strategy to develop a knowledge-based economy is not complete with just one element of a complete portfolio to nurture science, technology and entrepreneurship. Research has found innovation does not follow a simple linear path, but instead requires a complex system of inputs. It also happens locally with the presence of key resources. Strategically developed public and public-private initiatives can be supportive players in strengthening a regional innovation system, but only if well designed, well managed and well funded. While there are several great organizations and associations around the country offering valuable assistance to the key elements of tech-based economic development, only SSTI provides a balanced, impartial and comprehensive picture of what it takes to grow your tech-based economy. We believe that's why SSTI's annual conferences have grown to be so well respected in the field. Building Tech-based Economies: Preparing for Tomorrow'…

Forum Aims to Support Entrepreneurs in Southern New Jersey A business support group for newly-formed companies, the Entrepreneurs Forum of Southern New Jersey, is promoting a more entrepreneurial-friendly environment in the Southern New Jersey region by partnering with universities and area businesses. The nonprofit group plans to leverage the resources of Rowan and Rutgers universities, business leaders, and government officials to improve the flow of ideas, services and funding to entrepreneurs. Private companies are providing funding for the forum to deliver free and low-cost services as well as planned seminars, events and networking opportunities to young companies in the region. TAG Launches Council to Serve Minority Interests The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) recently launched the Minority Technology Council, a special interest group to help advance the interests and careers of ethnic minority technology professionals. The council will operate as part of TAG, providing an inclusive forum for members to network, share best practices, and gain access to mentoring, business and…

Rowan University Wins Approval for Technology Park Loan A $5 million low-interest loan was approved in June to fund the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University. The Delaware River and Bay Authority’s (DRBA) Board of Commissioners approved the loan, which will be owned by the DRBA and leased to the university until the loan is repaid, according to the Courier-Post. The Courier-Post article states Rowan has secured more than $12 million for the first phase of the project, including a $6 million grant from New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority. The park could open as soon as 2006. Oregon State University Moving Ahead With Research Park Plans Oregon State University will request proposals to develop a research park that would bring technology-oriented companies to the region and create spin-offs, according to a university press release. Rich Holdren, vice provost for research, said the university would like for the research park to have three anchor buildings that will include multiple clients, with a focus on technology. The park also would have separate lots to attract new businesses, which could build free-standing facilities…