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SSTI Digest
USDA to Launch Agricultural Innovation Centers
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a meeting July 31 to get public input for the design and implementation of the new Agricultural Innovation Center Demonstration Program.
Created with the recent passage of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program will provide farmers with sound technical, financial, and business advice as they consider new value-added enterprises. No more than five centers will be established in the first year of the program, and no more than 10 in the second year.
RBS is particularly interested in receiving comments on the following specific issues as they relate to agriculture innovation centers:
Indiana's 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, Tax Credits Survive
A massive state budget deficit, partisan squabbles, and a longstanding need to restructure the state's tax code almost derailed Indiana's largest commitment toward building a technology-based economy. An eleventh-hour compromise in the Indiana General Assembly saved the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund from being eliminated, doubled the state's research and development tax credit to 10 percent, repealed an unpopular apportionment formula in the R&D tax credit, and added a venture capital investment tax credit to the state's portfolio as well.
All is not rosy, however. The 21st Century Fund, which supports large-scale research projects at universities and private industry, did take a deep 40 percent cut and will receive only $15 million each year over the biennium. The program also had $50 million in unspent funding rescinded last fiscal year to help balance the state's $1.3 billion budget deficit.
NGA Releases State TBED Guides
The National Governors' Association (NGA) released three guides at its annual meeting last week that are designed to help governors to develop technology-based economic development strategies to improve states' global competitiveness. Prepared by the NGA Task Force on State Leadership in the Global Economy in partnership with the Council on Competitiveness, the papers present introductions to building state science and technology capacity, developing cluster-based economies, and creating a 21st-century workforce.
All three papers are available through http://www.nga.org
A Governor’s Guide to Building State Science and Technology Capacity
by Debra van Opstal, Michelle L. Lennihan, and Chad Evans of the Council on Competitiveness
MTI Says Tech an Anchor for Minnesota's Economy
Minnesota's technology sector remains a diverse, well developed and stable anchor to the state's economy, according to a new report released by Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI), Minnesota's tech-based economic development organization.
Using quantitative and qualitative measurements, Our Competitive Nature: Minnesota's Technology Economy characterizes almost 2,500 companies (with more than five employees) as technology intensive, including 1,300 advanced manufacturers, 850 information technology companies, and 300 life sciences companies. These sectors account for 164,500 jobs, the report states.
Federal Programs Critical to Bridging Digital Divide, Report Says
A new report released by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund and the Benton Foundation concludes that continued federal leadership is essential to increasing technology access, given the significant gaps that remain along economic, racial and geographic lines.
Wyoming Ponders Seed Capital, Tech Centers
The Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee of the Wyoming state legislature heard testimony last week encouraging the creation of two new initiatives to expand Wyoming's technology-based economic development efforts: a seed capital program and a technology incubator.
Seed Capital Loan Program
Tucker Fagan, CEO for the Wyoming Business Council, proposed modifications to a $1 million fund to allow the Council to make seed capital available to Wyoming's entrepreneurial community. The funds would come from the underutilized Science, Technology and Energy Authority.
New NSF Institutes to Strengthen Mathematics as Base for National S&T
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is establishing three new research institutes that are designed to help strengthen the mathematical sciences as the backbone for U.S. scientific and engineering research. The three centers are expected to receive $24 million over five years. A fourth $9 million award renews for six years the operation of an existing mathematical center that integrates education with research.
An award to Ohio State University in Columbus will lead to a Mathematical Biosciences Institute for interdisciplinary work on problems such as neuroscience and cell processes. This institute will develop the quantitative culture within the life sciences by bringing together people from both mathematical and biological backgrounds. Postdoctoral scientists will be jointly mentored by a bioscientist and a mathematical scientist, and seminars and courses will be aimed at a joint audience.
TBED People on the Move
Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton is the new chairman of the National Governors' Association. Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne was named vice chairman. Patton has identified education as his highest priority while serving the one-year term as chairman.
Angie Dvorak is leaving her position as CEO of the Mississippi Technology Alliance to become vice president of research for the University of Southern Mississippi. The University saw a 25 percent increase in research funds last fiscal year, climbing to a record $62.6 million.
Joe Raguso has left the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency to become vice president for strategic and corporate partnerships for SRI International. Raguso served the agency as Deputy Secretary for the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.
TBED People on the Move
Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton is the new chairman of the National Governors' Association. Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne was named vice chairman. Patton has identified education as his highest priority while serving the one-year term as chairman.
TBED People on the Move
Angie Dvorak is leaving her position as CEO of the Mississippi Technology Alliance to become vice president of research for the University of Southern Mississippi. The University saw a 25 percent increase in research funds last fiscal year, climbing to a record $62.6 million.
TBED People on the Move
Joe Raguso has left the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency to become vice president for strategic and corporate partnerships for SRI International. Raguso served the agency as Deputy Secretary for the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.
TBED People on the Move
Keith Servis has left his position as director of programs at the New York Office of Science, Technology, and the Advancement of Research to return to the New York Department of Health.