SSTI Digest

Much of the recent economic recovery plans coming from governors across the country have focused on growing and nurturing existing businesses through a regional approach to economic development. The idea is that by identifying and defining the unique needs of a region, policymakers and practitioners can then provide the necessary tools and resources to grow industries likely to succeed within a given region, thus improving the overall economic landscape of the state. This approach is happening both in states and at the local level. New Governors Look to Regional Economic Development to Boost Job CreationMany of the nation's new 28 governors elected last November came into office with bold proposals to create jobs in the sluggish economy by developing regional plans. New York's recently enacted budget provides $130 million in funding and $70 million in tax credits to establish 10 regional economic development councils expected to debut this month. The councils will compete for the funds and prioritize economic development projects in their respective regions. Meanwhile, the re-vamped Michigan Economic Development Corporation plans to distribute a portion of…

Karel Schubert has been appointed executive director of the Bioscience Association of West Virginia. Schubert most recently founded and is the chief executive officer of BioSynectics, a St. Louis-based bioscience firm. J. Michael Saul, deputy director of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation, who served as interim director for a year, is stepping down. Saul had overseen the agency's capital programs such as the Small Business Loan Fund. Chelsea Burket has joined the team at Fourth Economy as a research assistant. TechNet and the Illinois Technology Association announced a new strategic partnership to collaborate on a dual state-federal policy and political program for Illinois' fast-growing and emerging technology companies. s

Gov. Tom Corbett's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year funds many of Pennsylvania's longstanding efforts to grow a technology-based economy, but at a reduced level. At the same time, the governor outlined new initiatives and investments centered on a restructured Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) that he says will eliminate duplicative programs and better position the state to attract businesses for job creation. DCED's budget would be cut by 32 percent, or $114 million, and the number of programs would be reduced to 56 from 127 under the governor's proposal to streamline the state's economic development efforts. The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority would receive $14.6 million in FY12, down from $16.8 million in FY11 available funds. The authority funds the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP), one of the nation's longest running and most successful TBED programs. Through its four regional networks, BFTP provides access to capital and entrepreneurial support services to promising tech-based companies throughout the state. The governor unveiled a new initiative to help entrepreneurs connect with…

The seventh installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The first six installments are available in the Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 issues of the Digest. AlabamaGov. Robert Bentley, State of the State Address, March 1, 2011"The Education Budget I present will preserve, protect and bolster areas that should remain a priority for all of Alabama. ... We will protect the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. ... "... For the first time, our economic development and job creation strategy will include a plan for how we engage our universities and institutions of higher learning. Once we accomplish this, I believe we will forever change the economic landscape of Alabama." FloridaGov. Rick Scott, State of the State Address, March 8, 2011"An important priority in our 'jobs' budget is to consolidate government's economic development efforts into a single, highly focused agency. Working with our public-private partner, we will have the resources to be…

SSTI Board member Phillip Singerman has been named as the Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He will assume this position on January 31. Alabama Gov.-elect Robert Bentley named former house speaker Seth Hammett as the director of the Alabama Development Office. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced he will become director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University effective Feb. 1. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder named Michael Finney, current president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, as the new Michigan Economic Development Corp. director, replacing Greg Main. Ann Arbor SPARK announced the appointment of Skip Simms as interim president and CEO. New Mexico Gov.-elect Susana Martinez named businessman Jon Barela as the new secretary for the Department of Economic Development. Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Tom Corbett named Alan Walker as secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Walker, who is the president and CEO of Bradford Energy Company, also currently serves as a member and is past chair of the board of directors of both the…

The Philadelphia region increased retention of non-native students (students who are not originally from Philadelphia but attended undergraduate or graduate school in region) by 165% from 2004 to 2010 due to an increase in regional involvement opportunities for students (e.g., volunteer opportunities, internships, off-campus work opportunities and local cultural/entertainment activities), according to a new survey by Campus Philly. The report also found a high correlation between a student having a summer internship and remaining in the region for a year or more (70% of respondents). In comparison, only 40% of students were retained if they interned outside of the region. The report, "From Student to Resident: Findings from Campus Philly's 2010 Student Retention Survey," utilizes data collected from 4,600 students (including undergraduate and graduate students) and recent alumni of Philadelphia colleges and universities. Read the report...

The Tennessee Biotechnology Association has changed their name to Life Science Tennessee. Ann Arbor SPARK recently added Bill Mayer as director of their business accelerator team. Fred Mondragón, New Mexico's economic development secretary announced that he is retiring. Gov. Bill Richardson has appointed Allan Oliver, the deputy secretary of economic development, to replace Mondragón during the final weeks of the administration. Robert Rosenbaum has been appointed president and executive director of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. John Wasilisin has been serving as acting president and executive director since Renée Winsky stepped down in July 2009 to become CEO of the Tech Council of Maryland. Wasilisin will now shift to a role as executive vice president and chief operating officer. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners has announced the appointment of John Sider, former deputy secretary for Technology Investment for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as its managing director of Statewide Initiatives. Sider is succeeding Terry Singer who is retiring. Linda Swann has been…

What are the steps in building a successful regional alliance?How can my region benefit from the Obama administration's vision for innovation?Where should I look for funding now with state budgets so tight? These questions are probably similar to questions that you are facing in this tough fiscal climate. SSTI's Annual Conference allows you to structure your conference experience around the most vital issues for accelerating your region's innovation successfully. A new addition to the 2010 conference allows you to better tailor your conference experience to resolve your questions! In our upcoming 14th Annual Conference, to be held Sept 14-16 in Pittsburgh, SSTI has developed three tracks focused exclusively on helping you answer those vital questions. Utilizing survey responses from our members, SSTI developed the six thematic tracks to address the most pressing concerns of the TBED community. With a blend of engaging plenary and intensive breakout sessions, the six thematic tracks will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully navigate the road ahead. We'll highlight a few examples below, but encourage you to…

Everyday more organizations are realizing the potential of mentoring programs to help assist high-tech entrepreneurs and to build stronger tech industries. In recognition of this growing trend, SSTI will feature two sessions on entrepreneurial mentoring at this year's Annual Conference. The first, Sustaining Entrepreneur-in-Residence & Mentoring Programs, will examine how these programs recruit, retain and support experieinced mentors. The second, Technology Entrepreneurship: Direct Contact Required, will look at the needs of startup entrepreneurs and the role TBED organizations can play in coaching them through the early stages of development. Join us for these exciting discussions and learn about how different programs around the country are meeting the needs of local entrepreneurs. Read more about our sessions ...

SSTI's 14th Annual Conference agenda features some of the most relevant topics designed to help your efforts to support regional innovation, and this year we're going straight to the top to find out what federal officials, governors, and state policymakers envision on the road ahead for tech-based economic development. Brian McGowan, a senior Economic Development Administration official, will kick off the conference on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 2:00 P.M., sharing with conference attendees critical changes the Obama administration is making to drive federal economic investments toward innovation and technology. The following day features two important plenary sessions to engage the TBED community in discussion on Universities' Roles in Innovation and planning for transition in technology-based economic development presented by three Pennsylvania governors. The same day, Sean Greene from the Small Business Administration will outline SBA's future plans to support high-growth companies and regional innovation strategies in an intimate group setting. View the full agenda ...

Pressure on state budgets is at a historic high, and, ultimately, it's going to be state legislators that will make the decisions on how limited resources are allocated. The Road Ahead: The View from Legislators will provide you the opportunity to get a candid assessment from two legislators on what is needed to build support for tech-based economic development in this tough environment and what they see as the road ahead. During this panel-style discussion, Pennsylvania State Senator John Gordner and Georgia State Representative Chuck Martin will provide their insight on a range of topics from state budgets to cultivating an "innovation champion" at your state capitol. You cannot afford to miss this session! Learn more about the session ...

Regular readers of the Digest know that over the last year, SBA has launched a set of new programs and initiatives, including support for cluster development, changes to the SBIC application process, the revival of the FAST program, and a request for information on mentoring and entrepreneurship education for high-growth companies. At SSTI's 14th Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Sean Greene, SBA's Associate Administrator for Investment and Special Advisor for Innovation, will provide an update on what he and his colleagues at SBA have been working on and are planning for the future. With SBA pursuing a larger role in issues involving tech-based economic development, this session will provide an excellent chance to understand what lies ahead for SBA — and the opportunities presented for regional innovation strategies. Join us Wednesday, September 15, 10:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. to learn more about the federal government's plan for small business assistance. Register today ...