SSTI Digest

We recognize that SSTI's annual conference quickly has become the premier professional development event annually for the tech-based economic development field. It's quite an honor, but it is also quite an obligation. Our conference participants have come to expect a level of unsurpassed quality. At least, that's what they tell us in the evaluations. It presents a challenge, but SSTI staff seem to like challenges. We always strive to exceed expectations, so for the 7th annual conference we... polled our sponsors and affiliates to develop an agenda that is packed with 24 dynamic breakout sessions on topics that are extremely timely, filled with useful information for most of the field, and led by some of the top thinkers and practitioners in the field; lined up and confirmed as many of the presenters and speakers as we could before we begin to publicize the event so that you know exactly what you're getting for your money; and, secured great sponsors to ensure the SSTI conference continues to have one of the lowest overall registration fees (which includes most meals) for any…

Spokane Economic Development Council president Mark Turner has announced his resignation.

The Washington Technology Center (WTC) has created a new program that will make obtaining access to early-stage seed capital easier for companies outside the Puget Sound. WTC is Washington's statewide science and technology organization. Under a $250,000 award from the federal Economic Development Administration that was matched by WTC, investors and companies in communities such as Yakima, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Wenatchee and Vancouver will benefit from the two-year program. Two activities will be at the core of the program. Modeled on an approach developed by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), WTC will work with local community development officials to create and connect area investor groups, thus maximizing and enhancing a deal flow across the state. WTC also will provide hands-on aid in developing business plans and preparing investor presentations to strengthen companies' chances for securing investment. Findings from WTC-led statewide focus groups and the organization's 2003 Index of Innovation and…

Washington Governor Gary Locke signed legislation last week that will give a tax break for research and development (R&D) firms. HB 1462 – passing unanimously, 96-0, in the State House and by a majority, 41-4, in the State Senate – prohibits Washington's local governments from taxing the intellectual property of these companies. The new law provides that "a city may not impose a gross receipts tax on intellectual property creating activities." Such activities are said to include R&D that leads to the creation of patents, trademarks or other intellectual property. However, municipalities may continue to tax research firms that occupy a certain amount of square footage or have a certain number of workers. HB 1462 is expected to cost the city of Seattle $1.5 million annually, according to the Seattle Times. More information on the bill is available at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=1462 In related news, tax exemptions benefiting high-tech and biotech companies in Washington were approved last week for another 10 years by the State Senate…

The past week has marked the beginning of two public initiatives in Washington State to increase the availability of financing for technology firms. Rural Technology Loan Fund The Washington Technology Center, in partnership with the Evergreen Community Development Association, has established a Rural Technology Loan Fund to assist in the creation of family wage sustainable technology jobs that help alleviate poverty in rural communities in the state. The program is designed to provide gap financing or late-stage product development loans for implementation of value-added production processes and/or technology development. Loan funds may be used for development costs for patented technology, working capital equipment purchase, real estate, improving production processes or engineering costs. Rural technology-based companies in Washington, including start-ups and existing businesses, are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet loan criteria and have a strong business plan. For instance, loans for new technology are only available for technology that is patented,…

Dr. Leonard Peters is the new director of the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Washington State still ranks first nationally in the creation of new companies, according to the third annual Index of Innovation and Technology released by the Washington Technology Center (WTC), a state-funded organization that fosters technology employment growth. The Index also shows the number of patents earned by Washington inventors increased by 11 percent from 2000 to 2001. WTC's Innovation Index considers more than 40 key indicators to characterize the health of the state's innovation economy. Growth, financial capacity, human potential, competitiveness, quality of life, and innovation capacity in Washington all are assessed. Venture investment in Washington companies declined almost 60 percent during the years covered by the Index. However, the Pacific Northwest state remains among the top regions of the country for venture investment, ranking ninth overall. Silicon Valley, however, attracts 15 to 20 times more venture capital than Washington State, the findings show. The steady growth of the state's non-aircraft technology sectors has helped offset the loss of its…

Certified economic development professionals have an extra reason to attend Building Tech-based Economies: From Policy to Practice, the nation's premier educational and networking experience for the TBED community. The 2003 SSTI Annual Conference will be recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts toward the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD). The IEDC CEcD program is designed to unite the economic development profession around a core level of professional competency in eight topic areas. To sit for the certification exam, prospective candidates must have 10 years of professional experience, or at least four consecutive years of paid experience, and a series of professional development training courses across at least six of the eight competency areas. An important goal of the CEcD program is to ensure that those who are certified continue their own professional development and continue to contribute to the profession. IEDC recognizes the attendance of select non-IEDC events as a way for a…

The Washington Technology Center (WTC), the state's science and technology organization that stimulates growth in the state, is seeking someone to become Federal Program Development Manager. WTC helps Washington companies develop commercially viable technology through statewide programs and services. The purpose of the position is to ensure that appropriate federal programs and funding opportunities are identified and funding secured for WTC programs. The position provides the necessary program development activity to ensure strong and sustainable support of WTC business areas. The person selected for this position must be willing to travel extensively, operating from either Seattle or Washington D.C. Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. More information, including the full job description, is available at: http://www.watechcenter.org/wtc/employment.html

Patrick Jones, executive director of the Biotechnology Association of the Spokane Region, has been named executive director of Eastern Washington University's new Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis.

A regional partnership of economic development organizations, led by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), announced the launch of the Northwest Technology Investor Network last week. The network is an online forum that links investors and entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector. "Technology-based businesses and manufacturers from throughout the Northwest can post their business plans on the Web site, connecting them to a nationwide network of accredited investors. Investors have one-stop access to quality business plans in the high-tech sector," said Gary Spanner, manager of PNNL's Economic Development Office. The network is hosted by LocalFund, a nationally recognized company that hosts investor networks throughout the U.S. In addition to the efforts of PNNL, partners in making the network available to entrepreneurs and investors include the Tri-Cities Enterprise Center, the Tri-City Industrial Development Council, the CH2M HILL Technology Education Center, the Applied Process Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University Tri-Cities…

The Washington Technology Center (WTC), based in Seattle, WA, is searching for a person to fill the newly created position of Manager of Statewide Programs. This person will design and develop a statewide network of programs, services and connections to serve companies and entrepreneurs across Washington State. The person stepping into this position will lead the state's efforts to drive innovation and technology into economic growth through partnerships with local technology, economic development and research organizations. The Statewide Program Manager should be someone with a technology and business background that is exceptional at: understanding the needs of companies and entrepreneurs developing innovative programs to fill those needs, attracting financing to support these new programs, and engaging others in this network. More complete information is avaiable on the WTC website: http://www.watechcenter.org The Statewide Program Manager position is posted now through October 4.