SSTI Digest

President Bush is expected to release his first budget at the end of the month, and a published report indicates at least one tech program might be slated for significant cuts. The Wall Street Journal in a February 16 article ("Bush Aims to Reduce Digital Divide Funds") reported that their sources indicate the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) may be slashed 65 percent from $42.5 million to $15 million. Established in 1994, TOP promotes the widespread availability and use of digital network technologies in the public and non-profit sectors. As part of the Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), TOP gives matching grants for model projects demonstrating innovative uses of network technologies. Recipients include state, local and tribal governments, health care providers, schools, libraries, police departments, and community-based non-profit organizations

In what could be the largest private sector commitment yet to a single industry/university research center, Corning, Kodak ,and Xerox have combined to pledge a staggering $45 million toward establishing a Center of Excellence in Photonics and Optoelectronics in Rochester, N.Y. The three corporate giants also committed to help raise another $30 million from other private sector companies for the new partnership involving New York State, higher education, and private enterprise. University partners include the University of Rochester, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Alfred University, and Cornell University.

Even tech hot spots like San Diego are finding they are not immune from the Digital Divide. In fact, a new report from the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance (SDRTA) finds that the region suffers a wider Internet access divide between Caucasians and Hispanics than the nation as a whole. With Hispanics representing 25 percent of the area’s population, the issue will have future economic repercussions in tech-based entrepreneurship and increasing shortages of workers with tech skills.

Over the next three years, Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) will invest $3 million to support the development of existing and emerging technology-focused industry clusters. The new program is designed to increase collaboration between groups of tech business and the state’s nonprofit research, federal lab, and academic research communities. By focusing on the near-term technology needs of Minnesota businesses, MTI expects the program will lead to increased technology commercialization and high tech employment by the cluster businesses. MTI anticipates making three to five investments each year, with awards reaching $300,000 to $500,000 for qualified cluster proposals. Cluster projects must involve a minimum of four companies and at least one outside research resource, such as a local academic partner, federal lab or private, nonprofit R&D facility. More information on the new program can be found at http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/

Alan Balutis, director of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), is leaving the agency at the end of the month to take over leadership of the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils. Dr. Frederick Humphries, president of Florida A&M University and SSTI Board member, has announced he will retire this summer from the university. Rex Pelto has left the Advanced Technology Program to take the position of Director of Federal R&D & Business Development for Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology. Stefanie Sanford has joined Texas Governor Perry's office as Policy Director for Technology & Telecommunications Tom Unruh has announced he is leaving the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices.

Alan Balutis, director of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), is leaving the agency at the end of the month to take over leadership of the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils

Dr. Frederick Humphries, president of Florida A&M University and SSTI Board member, has announced he will retire this summer from the university.

Rex Pelto has left the Advanced Technology Program to take the position of Director of Federal R&D & Business Development for Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology.

Stefanie Sanford has joined Texas Governor Perry's office as Policy Director for Technology & Telecommunications

Tom Unruh has announced he is leaving the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices.

Pennsylvania has been a leader in tech-based economic development for more than two decades. With more than $208 million for tech-based economic development initiatives, the 2001-02 Budget Request submitted by Governor Tom Ridge this week shows why the state remains at the forefront of the field. Coupled with the $61 million in education technology, "Brain Gain," and digital divide initiatives proposed (see Pennsylvania's entry under this week's Tech Talkin' Govs article below), the state is developing a cradle-to-grave strategy for competing in the New Economy.  The technology-based economic development proposals include: 

In a follow-up to Maine Governor Angus King’s call for every 7th grader to have a laptop computer that they would use in school and could take home, the Task Force on the Maine Learning Technology Endowment has recommended that every student and teacher in the 7th through 12th grades be provided with computers that would be wireless and portable. The computers could be used in the classroom and, pending school district permission, be taken home. 

Last year, Governor King proposed spending $50 million to purchase laptops for every 7th grader. In response, the Legislature created a $50 million endowment and created the Task Force to make recommendations for how learning technology could be better incorporated in the classroom.