SSTI Digest

Led by Govs. Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) announced last week it would support opportunities to develop a clean, secure and diversified energy system for the West and to capitalize on the region's energy resources. The New Mexico and California governors, respectively, are among those represented by the nonprofit WGA.

Western Governors adopted a resolution that builds upon recommendations the governors received from the nearly 700 participants at the North American Energy Summit, held by WGA in April. Among the major goals of the resolution is reaching 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015 and a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020.

A new agreement between the State of Maryland and the National Security Agency (NSA) is expected to lead to new technologies for both. The two formalized a partnership earlier this month, signing a memorandum of understanding at the Maryland State House.

The partnership joins NSA with Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). Present for the signing were Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich, DBED Secretary Aris Melissaratos, and Michael Hayden and Dr. Eric Haseltine of NSA.

Hayden, who doubles as director of NSA and as a lieutenant general for the U.S. Air Force, said the agreement will enhance the agency's "transformation efforts to provide quality intelligence to the national leadership while promoting economic prosperity in Maryland."

As the U.S. approaches the July Fourth weekend, during which time we celebrate all the good that is America, columnists and politicians across the country will sing the praises of free-market capitalism. And with our material abundance and relative wealth compared to the vast majority of the world's population, examples of success for our chosen economic system are numerous.

Readers of the SSTI Weekly Digest -- and there are thousands of you -- may recall, however, that most economic development policy is intended to address the failures of our market system. Or at least to prod it along to certain conclusions that it may not reach if left entirely to its own devices. For example:

Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center, a Rolla-based, multi-office nonprofit organization that provides business and technical assistance to manufacturers, agricultural producers and startups, is seeking candidates for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. The full description and application instructions can be found at http://www.missourienterprise.org/Ceo.asp

The roller coaster ride that represents Washington's manufacturing policies and fiscal investments took a turn that was welcomed by MEP supporters when the House subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and State appropriations last week decided to fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at $106 million in fiscal year 2005.

More than two-and-one-half times the Administration's FY 2005 request of $39.6 million, the appropriation would return the program to its FY03 funding level.

The bipartisan outpouring of support for MEP has been substantial since the popular NIST program suffered the 63 percent cut in FY04 -- the result of a bit of budgeting gamesmanship that backfired during the debacle that represented the FY04 appropriations process.

Many states and communities across the country want to be leaders in the much anticipated bio-based economic boom. Even more companies are hoping to create the next great multi-billion-dollar pill. For a few firms, that push for profits may be too great, replacing the original focus on human health or environmental issues.

Last week, in response to concerns about the impact of pharmaceutical industry sponsorship on research outcome, quality and publication bias, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates called for the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive registry for all clinical trials conducted in the U.S.

The new registry would ensure that trials with negative as well as positive results are publicly available, by providing every clinical trial with a unique identification and ensuring publication or placement on an electronic database of all results from registered trials.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.