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SSTI Digest
Changes Proposed for Distance Learning & Telemedicine Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service has issued a direct final rule incorporating a series of changes for the popular Distance Learning & Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program (DLT). The rule will become effective on May 10, 1999 unless the agency receives written adverse comments on or before April 26, 1999.
The DLT program provides financial assistance for schools, libraries and rural medical services to acquire equipment and telecommunications facilities for optimal service delivery.
Since the DLT program was created in 1993, USDA has funded 252 projects in 43 states and two US territories, totaling $62.5 million in grants and $3 million in loans.
Wisconsin explores $100 Million for Venture Capital
Three separate public initiatives are underway in Wisconsin which could result in the availability of more than $100 million for new venture capital financing. The efforts are designed to spur venture capital investment in the state (ranked 45th in the 1998 Pricewaterhouse Coopers survey) and to increase entrepreneurial activity in the Wisconsin biotechnology community.
Position Available
Wheeling Jesuit University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Business and Technology. Among the Chair's responsibilities are recruiting and retaining faculty, overseeing curriculum and budget, developing and maintaining strong ties to the business and governmental community of the Wheeling area, and articulating a vision which leads to widespread recognition of the Depart-ment as offering a premier education program. Applications will be accepted until May 10, 1999. The complete job posting is available on the SSTI website at www.ssti.org
EPSCoT ROUND 2 UNDERWAY
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration (TA) has announced the availability of approximately $2 million in funding for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT). The program will provide 6-8 matching grants to support technology development, deployment, and diffusion through public-private partnerships in states which traditionally do not receive significant federal R&D funding.
While EPSCoT is conceptually modeled to parallel the multi-agency EPSCoR, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, EPSCoT has expanded its eligibility this year to include nine non-EPSCoR states. Alabama, an EPSCoR state and a $300,000 award recipient in the first round of EPSCoT, is not included in the current list of EPSCoT-eligible states.
$16.5M PROPOSED FOR ILLINOIS S&T PROGRAMS
In his first budget address, Illinois Governor George Ryan outlined a series of initiatives which would catapult Illinois into the top tier of states for technology-based economic development spending. Coupled with the $3-million-plus technology initiative announced earlier this year by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Illinois S&T investments could grow to $20 million annually, a threshold only six other states have crossed and maintained: Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
NEW RESOURCES FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA
Two new, free resources are available that provide access to statistical data that can be used for a wide variety of analytic processes, including impact assessment, regional measurement, strategic planning and program design.
Socioeconomic Data for Understanding Your Regional Economy: A User's Guide, provides an overview of various sources of data valuable in regional economic analysis. The document was designed for people who want to use readily available socioeconomic data to characterize activities and trends, especially at the state, regional or local level.
The User's Guide:
DIGEST CELEBRATES #150 WITH READERS SURVEY
Last week's issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest was our 150th since beginning the publication on March 1, 1996. Since that time, the Digest has grown more sophisticated in its news coverage and value largely due to the input we receive from our readers. Accompanying this week's issue of the Digest in a separate e-mail is a short survey that we hope you will complete and send back to us. [NOTE: survey is not included with the arcvhive version of the Digest.]
Your comments and suggestions are critical tools for making the publication as valuable as possible for your organization. Please fax the survey back to us at 614/ 901-1696.
SBA To Offer $1 Million for SBIR Assistance
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced plans to accept applications for funding to support selected local Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) assistance efforts. The program announcement will be available by mail beginning Monday March 22, according to Maurice Swinton, SBA point of contact.
SBA has $1 million available for the awards; the maximum size of any award will be $100,000. Each applicant must provide match of 50 cents for each federal dollar requested under the solicitation. Awards will be in the form of cooperative agreements.
NICE3 Program Awards $2.1 Million
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the award of more than $2.1 million in grants to six U.S. manufacturers to help demonstrate and commercialize energy-efficient and environmentally friendly industrial technologies. The grants support technologies being developed for use in the chemicals, metalcasting, aluminum, forest products, and steel industries.
The awards are part of the National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE3) program, a strategic partnership between state energy, economic development and environmental departments, industry and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Since 1991, the department has funded 91 projects, including this year's recipients. The program includes more than 200 partners in 32 states and territories. NICE3 has leveraged $81.8 million in state and industry funds with $26.3 million in federal funds. According to DOE, more than half of the recipients have been small businesses.
Michigan to Reorganize Economic Development, Workforce Functions
Michigan Governor John Engler has signed an Executive Order reorganizing the state's economic development and workforce development functions. The reorganization, which was unveiled by the Governor in his State of the State address, permits the formation of a new Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in partnership with local governments.
A 17-member Board will oversee the corporation, which is expected to be formed through an interlocal agreement between the state and one or more local economic development groups. The corporation will assume the economic development function from the Michigan Jobs Commission, which will cease to exist.
The new corporation will allow one organization to make economic development decisions, pending a merger with two existing organizations: the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and Michigan Technologies, Inc.
ASME Offers Fellowships
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is seeking candidates for the White House Executive Office Fellowship and for the Congressional Fellowship.
The White House Fellow will serve a one-year appointment in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to support the U.S. Innovation Partnership's state-federal technology partnership activities aimed at enhancing state-federal cooperation and technology-based economic growth.
The Congressional Fellow will participate directly in the lawmaking process. The Fellows typically choose placement with congressional committees with authority over science and technology programs.
Among the qualifications necessary for becoming a White House Fellow are:
Publications of Note
Two publications that will be useful to those interested in technology-based economic develop-ment have been released recently. They are:
Science and Engineering State Profiles: 1998 Data Update
This report prepared by the National Science Foundation's Division of Science Resources Studies offers key statistical information for each state. Data in the profiles, includes: number of doctoral scientists and engineers, federal spending; federal obligations for R&D by agency and performer; academic R&D spending; number of SBIR awards; and, gross state product.
The report is available only on-line and can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf99311/pdfstart.htm
Evaluating Federal Research Programs: Research and the Government Performance and Results Act