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
Markle Foundation to Donate $100 Million for Public Use of Internet
The Markle Foundation has announced plans to give away $100 million -- more than half of the Foundation's current endowment -- over the next five years for projects and programs to improve public benefit from the Internet. Recipients will include non-profit organizations as well as for-profit companies.
Awards are concentrated in four areas:
Public Engagement through Interactive Technology -- "supports research, applications, and experimentation that encourage the use of communications technology for active engagement in the pursuit of knowledge and for effective participation in democratic society."
Policy for a Networked Society -- "works to enhance the public voice in the consideration and resolution of domestic and international policies that are surfacing in this new communications environment."
People
The following people in the S&T field have announced or made career changes over the past few months:
Phil Singerman, the head of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Adminstration, has been named president of the new Maryland Technology Economic Development Corporation.
Catherine Renault, managing director of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, has accepted a position with Advantage Consulting.
Cary Nourie has been named Vice President of Policy and Planning for the Illinois Coalition; he previously was with the North Carolina Governor's Washington Office.
Brent Gregory has announced his resignation as Vice President for Technology Development with Enterprise Florida to accept a position in the private sector.
Douglas Goodall has been appointed CEO of Innovation Works, the successor to the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania.
People
Phil Singerman, the head of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Adminstration, was named president of the new Maryland Technology Economic Development Corporation.
People
Catherine Renault, managing director of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, has accepted a position with Advantage Consulting.
People
Cary Nourie has been named Vice President of Policy and Planning for the Illinois Coalition; he previously was with the North Carolina Governor's Washington Office.
People
Brent Gregory has announced his resignation as Vice President for Technology Development with Enterprise Florida to accept a position in the private sector.
People
Douglas Goodall has been appointed CEO of Innovation Works, the successor to the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania.
People
Patrick Quinlan, a former staffer for Rep. George Brown, has been selected as the ASME Fellow in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
House Decimates R&D, Lane Says
Appropriation bills approved by the U.S. House of Representatives have “decimated the President’s R&D budget,” according to Neal Lane, the President’s Science Advisor and director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Dr. Lane issued a scathing statement earlier this week that condemned the House R&D budget appropriations, which include, according to the statement, the following:
Challenges of the New Economy Focus of SSTI’s 3rd Annual Conference
The State Science and Technology Institute’s (SSTI) third annual conference will focus on how to meet the challenge of the New Economy through science and technology programs.
The conference will focus on some of the largest issues facing policy makers and practitioners, including:
- communicating the importance of science and technology in today’s economy,
- meeting the demand for a skilled workforce,
- encouraging the formation of early-stage capital for commercializing locally-developed new technologies in a globally aggressive economy, and
- understanding the implications and opportunities of e-commerce.
The conference program includes the following sessions:
Wednesday, October 6
Two optional, concurrent preconference workshops (seating is limited)
Texas Passes R&D Tax Credit
On October 1, Texas will begin offering a tax credit for business research and development expenditures. The new law, Texas Senate Bill 441, provides Texas corporations with a franchise tax credit equal to five percent of eligible R&D expenses for up to 50 percent of a company’s total franchise tax liability. Unused portions may be carried forward for up to 20 years.
To be eligible for the credit, R&D expenditures must occur within a Texas Strategic Investment Area, which include: counties with unemployment rates above the state average and per capita income below the state average; or federally designated urban enterprise communities or urban enhanced enterprise communities.
Senate Bill 441 requires the state comptroller to prepare a biennial report on the impact of the R&D tax credit.
A copy of the bill can be viewed on the Texas Legislature website: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Bingaman Introduces Bill to Create MEP-like Program for E-Commerce
To help small businesses participate fully in the expected e-commerce revolution, Senator Bingaman (D-NM) has introduced legislation to create a national e-commerce extension program. Senators Rockefeller (D-WVa), Snowe (R-ME) and Mikulski (D-MD) are co-sponsors of the bill, S. 1494.
E-commerce sales are expected to grow from the 1998 level of $100 billion to $1.3 trillion in 2003 -- less than four years from now. The opportunities for businesses prepared to compete in the electronic commerce market are significant. The challenges and implications for others, particularly in areas, populations, and companies underserved by the Internet, are enormous.