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Commission Offers Guidelines to Strengthen European Research

Scientific research, technological development and innovation are the heart of a knowledge-based economy, and in order to strengthen this sector in Europe, the European Union’s (EU) research budget needs to be doubled, according to a new plan released by the Commission of The European Communities.

Science and Technology, the Key to Europe’s Future offers guidelines suggested by research commissioner Philippe Busquin and other scientists and researchers. In March 2002, the EU set the objective of increasing the European research effort to 3 percent of the European GDP by 2010, an effort referred to as the Lisbon strategy. To provide a response to the objectives of the strategy, the Commission initiated a plan focusing on key topic in future research efforts.

Virginia Launches $12M Rural Broadband Initiative

One of the more interesting uses of funds from the national tobacco settlement with the states, Virginia officials announced a $12 million economic development and broadband technology infrastructure initiative to serve more than 25 towns, cities and counties of rural Virginia.

The Regional Backbone/Roots of Progress Initiative (RBI) will create 700 miles of new fiber optic cable that will connect five cities, 20 counties, 56 industrial parks and provide high-speed Internet access to nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses throughout Virginia at a 20 percent reduction in high-speed Internet access costs. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and expected to be completed by January 2006.

Tech Council News

Convergence Group Formed in Silicon Valley Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, the lead regional economic development organization for the well known valley, helped announce the formation of the Technology Convergence Consortium. Outlined in Joint Venture's Next Silicon Valley strategic plan, the new group's purpose will be to provide a forum enabling the valley's entrepreneurs to take advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.

S&T Job Opportunities

Two new posting were added to SSTI's online Job Corner this week. Brief descriptions are provided below. More information is available at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm

Economic Development Administration -- Director of Strategic Initiatives The Economic Development Administration, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeks applicants for a director for the office of strategic initiatives. Based at EDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., the director will develop and manage national research and evaluation projects that determine the causes of economic distress, assist in formulating and implementing new and innovative economic development tools and programs, and to evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of economic development programs, projects, and techniques. Applications from U.S. citizens will be accepted until July 1.

People

Former Michigan Governor John Engler, also chairman of SSTI's Board of Directors, has been chosen to serve as president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. He will assume his new position on Oct. 1, 2004.

Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism commissioner W. Glenn Cornell has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Craig Lesser is Gov. Sonny Perdue's recommendation as Cornell's successor.

Brian Mefford will assume the position of president and CEO of Kentucky's Center for Information Technology Enterprise.

People

Former Michigan Governor John Engler, also chairman of SSTI's Board of Directors, has been chosen to serve as president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. He will assume his new position on Oct. 1, 2004.

People

Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism commissioner W. Glenn Cornell has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Craig Lesser is Gov. Sonny Perdue's recommendation as Cornell's successor.

People

Brian Mefford will assume the position of president and CEO of Kentucky's Center for Information Technology Enterprise.

People

The NanoBusiness Alliance has named Sean Murdock to serve as its new executive director.

People

Baiju Shah is the new president of the Cleveland's BioEnterprise Corp., succeeding Matt Jennings.

People

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology has named Sheri Stickley interim executive director, following the resignation of William Sibley.

People

Pete Tartline has resigned his position as president and CEO of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.