• As the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic development, SSTI offers the services that are needed to help build tech-based economies.  Learn more about membership...

SSTI Digest

Louisiana Moving Toward Cluster-based ED

Citing the need to attract knowledge- and technology-based businesses to the state, Louisiana Governor Mike Foster has proposed converting the state’s Department of Economic Development (DED) into Louisiana, Inc., a private, state-chartered, not-for-profit corporation.

The corporation would be designed around a cluster-based economic development strategy focusing on nine traditional clusters and six “seed” high technology clusters with foundations in the state’s university research centers. Each of the clusters would have a Cluster Developer on staff at Louisiana, Inc, to lead the economic development efforts for that cluster by: conducting market analyses for the cluster; defining a market niche or vision for the state’s sector; identify best practices in other states; and prepare business plans to guide the corporations activities to support and grow the cluster. Each Cluster Developer’s compensation package would be performance based.

Gary Bachula to Leave Commerce

Commerce Secretary William Daley announced this week that Gary Bachula, Deputy Under Secretary for Technology, will be leaving his post April 7 to move to the private sector. Throughout Bachula’s tenure with the Clinton Administration, he has served as a the leading advocate for efforts to build stronger partnerships between federal R&D agencies and state technology programs. His willingness and commitment to explore new approaches to state-federal partnerships was demonstrated through the creation of the U.S. Innovation Partnership, the development of the pilot Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT), and his support of the State Science and Technology Institute.

Wisconsin Legislature Considers High Tech Corporation

In his recent State of the State address, Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson called for the establishment of a new High Tech Corporation to assist in the development of companies for the New Economy. Toward that end, a bill has been introduced in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature to establish the corporation.

The bill requires the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to develop and maintain a nonprofit corporation to promote and support the creation, maturation, and retention of science and technology-based businesses in the state. The High Tech Corporation would be responsible for designing and implementing programs that focus on various elements of high-technology company development such as entrepreneurship, seed and venture capital, university involvement, and state government involvement.

The corporation would be overseen by a nine-member board that would supervise the activities of the corporation and raise a total of $250,000 per year in private sector funding.

1998 R&D Data Available

This past winter, the National Science Foundation (NSF) released most of the statistical tables compiled from the 1998 surveys of federal, academic and industrial research and development expenditures. Also included are early release tables presenting federal support for science and engineering to universities, colleges and nonprofit institutions. These early releases provide researchers and data users — including state science and technology programs completing innovation indices — the most timely statistics available on the topics. The full reports will be published on the web later this year. Following are brief summaries of early release tables currently available:



Academic R&D

NGA Identifies State Strategies for New Economy

At its winter meeting last week, the National Governors' Association (NGA) launched a new initiative to explore how states can meet the challenges of governing in the New Economy. During the next six months, NGA's Center for Best Practices will release a series of papers that focus on seven different aspects of the New Economy. A complete list of the papers included in the series can be viewed at: http://www.nga.org/Releases/PR-26Feb2000Strategies.asp

A new 50-page report, State Strategies for the New Economy, begins this series by presenting action steps to the nation’s governors from the NGA Task Force on the New Economy. The Task Force calls for changes in the way states govern, deliver services, and attract the workers and businesses driving the New Economy.

New Developments in State S&T Legislation

Arizona

Legislation has been introduced to permit one percent of the permanent state trust funds to be invested in economic development projects as authorized by the Arizona Board of Investment. The concurrent resolution, HCR 2033, was referred to several committees for consideration. Another bill under consideration in the Arizona House, HB 2447, would create the Arizona Capital Access Program, a revolving investment fund secured by state tax credits to encourage technology-focused venture capital investments in the state.

S&T Positions Available

The State of Maine’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Committee seeks a Statewide EPSCoR Director to coordinate and facilitate the activities of the State’s EPSCoR Steering Committee, called the Research Capacity Committee (RCC). A three-person management team consisting of the Chancellor of the University of Maine System (UMS), the President of the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF), and the Chair of the RCC appoint the Director and oversee the Director’s activities. The Director reports directly to the Chair of the RCC. Letters of application, a resume, and three references should be submitted in time to be received no later than April 7, 2000.

SSTI Website Changes

SSTI has added two new features to our web site to make your visits easier. Both are free services from Mind-It.com. First, a site search engine has been added to our home page http://www.ssti.org allowing quicker browsing and researching.

The second new feature is a free notification service http://www.ssti.org/whatsnew.htm  which sends subscribers email messages whenever our site is updated. Recipients are then able to click on the link to SSTI's home page to see the modifications we've made to the site (follow "What's New"). Mind-It.com allows individual users to monitor several unrelated web pages with this valuable service http://mindit.netmind.com/

Hawaii's Growth Strategy Focuses on Technology, New Economy

Earlier this month, Governor Ben Cayetano released The New Millenium Growth Strategy for Hawaii's Economy, an economic development plan to improve the state's performance in a knowledge-based economy. The 90-page report, penned by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, includes several new initiatives for developing and growing technology businesses as well as strengthening existing economic development efforts.

The plan hopes to have "high-tech activities permeate all sectors of Hawaii's economy." As a result, separate sections are dedicated to discussing technology-based approaches to building a stronger economy through high technology, information technology, biotechnology, defense and dual-use technology, health care, resource development, environment, and tourism. The plan also identifies and addresses proposals for workforce training and infrastructure capacity needs for a technology-based economy.

SSTI's 4th Annual Conference Date Set

Mark Your Calendars! Book your Flights! Make your Reservations! Pack Your Bags!

Planning is underway for SSTI's fourth and largest annual gathering of S&T policymakers and practitioners. The event will be held October 3-4, 2000 in Chicago, Illinois. As in the past, two limited-seating in-depth workshops will precede the conference on Monday, October 2.

Berkshire to Offer High-Speed Telecommunications Network

Efforts to transform rural Berkshire County, Massachusetts from an area of economic decline into an equal player for the New Economy through improved telecommunications access are bearing fruit. Berkshire Connect, a consortium of business, cultural, academic, and community leaders has successfully negotiated an agreement with Global Crossing, Ltd. and Equal Access Networks to provide low-cost, equal access telecommunications throughout the region. This agreement will allow area businesses to save 50% over their current rates for T-1 Internet access.

Defense Funds Offered for Medical Research

The Army Medical Research and Materiel Command has recently posted in the Commerce Business Daily the following solicitations for research proposals: