SSTI Digest

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the selection of 29 economic development projects to receive more than $3.1 million. Funding provided through USDA Rural Development's business opportunity grants and economic development loan and grant programs will assist over 455 businesses and create or save nearly 3,000 jobs, according to the grant proposals. The awards were distributed to projects in 24 states: Alabama ($450,000); California ($50,000); Colorado ($9,500);  Georgia ($50,000); Indiana ($50,000); Kansas ($200,000); Kentucky ($48,360); Louisiana ($49,790); Maine ($13,000); Maryland ($50,000); Minnesota ($250,000); Mississippi ($431,687); Missouri ($222,000); Nebraska ($300,000); North Carolina ($50,000); North Dakota ($50,000); Ohio ($50,000); Pennsylvania ($15,000); South Dakota ($200,000); Tennessee ($50,000); Texas ($413,936); Vermont ($35,538); Virginia ($49,587); and Washington ($50,000). Among the awards were several technology-based economic development initiatives and entrepreneurial assistance programs, including: Indiana Business…

The new Arizona Technology Council (ATC) has announced its vision and mission as a non-profit association committed to growing member companies and the technology industry in Central and Northern Arizona. ATC, formed in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Southern Arizona Tech Council, various organizations and technology trade associations, will be led by former Phoenix mayor and ATC Chairman Paul Johnson, an appointed executive committee and a board of directors comprised of a cross-section of academic, private and public sector professionals. An advisory board of civic leaders, technology industry executives and service providers to the technology industry has been formed to help interconnect the technology industry with the community. ATC's vision is to help the state become recognized as a top-tier center for technology-based industries and businesses with an education system that produces a best-of-class technology workforce; a private sector that innovates and delivers breakthrough technology products, solutions and services separately and in partnership with the state-…

When budgets tighten for state and local governments, as they have in nearly every corner of the country, legislatures and political leaders look for areas to reduce spending. Having a strong documented record of the positive impact of your technology-based economic development efforts and investments can help protect vital programs from the axe. And, regardless of the fiscal environment, regular assessment and program evaluation also are good practices for honing your activities to maximize their benefits and payoffs. But how do you start? What measures really matter? And how do you use the data once gathered? SSTI's sixth annual conference, Building Tech-based Economies: From Policy to Practice, includes several sessions to help address the critical need for accurate and impartial program impact assessments that can stand up to political opponents or axe-wielding budget analysts. A few session highlights include: Measuring and Monitoring the Knowledge Economy — Dr. Ken Poole, Executive Director of widely respected ACCRA, will lead this intensive, 3.5-hour…

Many areas of the country are experiencing a brain drain, an outmigration of recent college graduates leading to a decline in the available labor pool of entry level workers, young entrepreneurs and future civic leaders. A new initiative, however, hopes to reverse that trend in Northeastern Pennsylvania by strengthening the social, networking and professional relationships among young skilled workers in the Wilkes-Barre region. Professionals Organized and Working to Enrich the Region (POWER) held its first meeting last week. Managed by the Great Valley Technology Alliance, POWER's organizational and promotional costs are covered by a $42,000 grant from the state's Stay and Invent the Future Initiative, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. According to a recent article in the Wilkes Barre Times Leader, POWER marketing efforts will be directed toward 21- to 40-year-olds in the area. Activities will include community service projects, mixers and cultural events.

Federal research facilities can be a bit intimidating for a small- or medium-sized technology firm. But if a business is looking for solutions to technical problems, new technologies to commercialize or adopt, a research partner, or funding to perfect some technology, the vast resources of the nation's 700+ federal research laboratories could hold the key to commercial success. Fortunately, since 1974, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) provides an affordable, easy-to-access gateway to a nationwide network of federal laboratories. The FLC is the nation's leading source for maximizing collaborative research for transferring technologies and facilitating technical cooperation between the federal laboratories, industry, academia, state and local governments, and federal agencies. FLC services include: FLC Technology Locator — This serves as a point of entry to federal laboratory expertise and technology. Potential partners are put in contact with a federal laboratory with expertise in a specific field. Find-a-lab online locator — This locator allows…

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers in more than 400 locations nationwide. Their sole purpose is to provide the 357,000 small and mid-sized manufacturers in the U.S. help to succeed in a global economy. MEP centers are linked together through the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology — making it possible for even the smallest firms to tap into the expertise of knowledgeable manufacturing and business specialists throughout the U.S. MEP centers help manufacturers with such issues as process improvement; quality management systems; business management systems; human resource development; market development; materials engineering; plant layout; product development; energy audits; environmental studies; financial planning; CAD/CAM/CAE; and electronic commerce/EDI. Starting in October 2002, MEP will roll out 360vu, a new brand of strategic management services designed exclusively for small and mid-sized manufacturers. 360vu services are delivered by manufacturing and management experts who work with the…

The interim director for Cleveland's new Industrial Technology Institute will be Charles Alexander, dean of the College of Engineering at Cleveland State University. Anne Armstrong, who in July resigned as president of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, is returning to Federal Computer Week as its publisher. Armstrong was with the weekly publication prior to joining CIT. Michael Finney, vice president for Emerging Business with the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC), is leaving MEDC to become the first president and CEO for the Greater Rochester Enterprise in New York. Otto Loewer is leaving his position as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas to become the founding director of the university's new Economic Development Institute. Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the past five-and-a-half years, Sam McCullough is resigning effective October 25. Doug Rothwell, President and CEO of MEDC, has announced his resignation with the end of Governor John Engler's term in December.…

The interim director for Cleveland's new Industrial Technology Institute will be Charles Alexander, dean of the College of Engineering at Cleveland State University.

Anne Armstrong, who in July resigned as president of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, is returning to Federal Computer Week as its publisher. Armstrong was with the weekly publication prior to joining CIT.

Michael Finney, vice president for Emerging Business with the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC), is leaving MEDC to become the first president and CEO for the Greater Rochester Enterprise in New York.

Otto Loewer is leaving his position as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas to become the founding director of the university's new Economic Development Institute.

Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the past five-and-a-half years, Sam McCullough is resigning effective October 25.