SSTI Digest

In response to state and regional requests for assistance in identifying factors that influence regional innovation and competitiveness, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Technology Policy (OTP) released this week an annual report measuring science and technology indicators in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The third annual edition of The Dynamics of Technology-Based Economic Development contains data to help policy makers and regional leaders better understand the factors that influence economic outcomes at the state and local level. Areas such as R&D investment, number of patents issued and education levels are among the categories measured.

The Mississippi Technology Alliance has released a second annual index focusing on the process of innovation, the links between innovation and technology-based economic development, and activities that government, academia and the private sector provide to support innovation and economic development.

First published in January 2002, the Mississippi Innovation Index presents technology goals, targets and annual performance levels for Mississippi, using data from the Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Mississippi Tax Commission and other national databases. The 2003 index updates data for the most current years published by the agencies and the previous 3-5 years.

More than 1,000 economic development professionals, business and government leaders, nonprofit organization representatives and university officials from across the U.S. will come together when the Economic Development Administration (EDA) holds its national conference on May 6-9, 2003.

Overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA serves to generate and retain high-skill, high-wage jobs in economically distressed areas of the nation. Its conference, Engines of Economic Growth for the 21st Century, is expected to provide participants the opportunity to discuss market-based strategies to compete in a global economy. Participants also can look to discuss economic development as it relates to "the Administration’s highest priority issues — winning the war on terrorism, protecting Americans here at home, and restoring robust economic growth."

The South Carolina Women's Business Center has opened its doors and already has 30 customers, the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) recently announced. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Women's Business Center will focus on serving only manufacturing facilities in 2003 but will add services to other types of businesses in 2004.

More than 64,000 existing women-owned businesses in South Carolina figure to benefit from the center, which will provide such services as business start-up assistance, marketing, training and access to financing. The center also will collaborate with other organizations including Small Business Development Centers.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty recently announced the formation of a Biodiesel Task Force to accelerate development of the state's biodiesel industry. The nine-member group will advise the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on methods to increase production and use of biodiesel in Minnesota.

Legislation passed by the 2002 Minnesota Legislature requires that 2 percent of Minnesota’s diesel fuel be replaced with biodiesel by June 2005. This requirement will take effect on the condition that the state has developed by that time an annual biodiesel production capacity of at least 8 million gallons. To help reach that production capacity and ensure a smooth introduction of biodiesel into the marketplace, the new task force will help promote and educate possible biodiesel developers, marketers, consumers and manufacturers.

NorTech – an organization whose mission is to ensure economic growth and leadership in Northeast Ohio by promoting entrepreneurially based globally competitive technology development and commercialization – seeks to hire an Associate Director who will be responsible for all activities associated with one or more initiatives and ongoing high level support for the initiatives. This includes for each assignment: planning; convening and coalescing support from CEOs; advocacy at the local and state levels; launching the initiatives; and maintaining an active governance or advisory role post launch. NorTech seeks highly qualified individuals who have demonstrated success as entrepreneurs, senior business development assignments in growth organizations, and/or leadership experience in public-private initiatives. More information is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance announced this week that Clare Emerson will replace Lewis Attardo as executive director.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has named Samuel G. Bonasso as Acting Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration following the departure of former Administrator Ellen G. Engleman, who left to become Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance announced this week that Clare Emerson will replace Lewis Attardo as executive director.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has named Samuel G. Bonasso as Acting Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration following the departure of former Administrator Ellen G. Engleman, who left to become Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds announced Friday that John Calvin has been named Secretary for the Department of Tourism and State Development. The newly formed department combines the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Department of Tourism, Office of Tribal Relations, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

Bill Duncan is the first president of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, which held its inaugural event at the end of March.

Christopher Foster has been named technology coordinator for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.