La. to pursue "research alliance" *** Group studies what's needed
BYLINE: JORDAN BLUM; CAPITOL NEWS BUREAU
Louisiana is moving forward on its path toward a true "research alliance," with more investments for targeted university research and new spin-off companies.
Beginning today, the state Board of Regents and the Louisiana Recovery Authority are hosting meetings statewide to develop a prioritized strategic plan after assessing university and regional research and industrial strengths.
The Baton Rouge meeting is at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the Claiborne Building.
The program model is based on the Georgia Research Alliance, a private, nonprofit that leads the coalition-building and corporate investments, while the state provides increased research funding at the universities.
The alliance pumps millions of dollars annually into focused university research to develop new technologies and companies. Then the schools provide the companies with the trained workforce.
"This all grew out of funds for the (2005 hurricane) severely impacted campuses," said Kerry Davidson, Louisiana Board of Regents deputy commissioner of sponsored programs. "We saw this as an opportunity not only to help those places recover, but also to plan statewide."
The plan should be finalized in October, Davidson said, and then move toward building public-private partnerships and working toward more state and corporate investments.
The planning aspect is being led by Regional Technology Strategies, a North Carolina-based economic development planning firm, being paid $400,000 from community development block grant funds and the Regents.
Robin Keegan, the LRA's director of economic and workforce policy, said there is about $28.5 million set aside to assist the hurricane-assisted campuses with pumping up research efforts to spur economic development.
Much of the efforts are focused on finding ideal "technology transfers," Keegan said. This means utilizing research to develop patents and products that can be sold or used to jumpstart new businesses.
Statewide, she said, more commitments undoubtedly will be needed from the state and private companies to fund research strategies and more business incubators.
Arkansas recently committed about $140 million to a similar project.
Ann Guissinger, with LRA's economic and work-force development, said the Georgia Research Alliance involves close to $40 million annually from the state going to universities for research and eminent scholars.
"I would expect we'd have to have that state commitment here," Guissinger said, noting that most state are looking to follow the Georgia model.
Louisiana has begun the move, Keegan said, but much work remains when it comes to corporate partnerships with universities and increased state research funding.
The Board of Regents is currently asking the state for $100 million to start a new university research fund.
The study has identified university research strengths such as in nanotechnology, genetics, immunology and engineering.
Since its inception in 1990, Georgia Research Alliance programs have brought in more than $2 billion in federal and private funds to the economy at a five-to-one return for the public money invested. That includes 125 new companies and 5,000 jobs, alliance officials say.