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In comparison to most of its peer states, Colorado's workforce excels in educational attainment and entrepreneurship, according to the first Colorado Innovation Index. The index, published by the Colorado Innovation Network, evaluates Colorado's economy in relation to seven benchmark states, including Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Utah. Only Massachusetts had a higher percentage of Bachelor's degree holders in its workforce, and only Massachusetts and New York had a higher percentage of graduate degree holders.

The start of a new school year is already underway leading to the often dreaded task of choosing a major. For today's students, balancing a rewarding career with one that offers in-demand employment opportunities has become even more of a struggle. Results from a new survey suggest the engineering field might just fit the bill, however. A survey of more than 1,200 mechanical engineers offers insight into a profession where most hold an optimistic view of their work and their ability to impact lives and meet global challenges.

This week, White House officials announced the names of the country's first class of Presidential Innovation Fellows. The 18 fellows, drawn from the ranks of private sector innovators and entrepreneurs, will spend six months working on five high-impact projects aimed at supporting U.S. entrepreneurs, small businesses and the economy. Read the announcement

Tony Grindberg, executive director at the NDSU Research and Technology Park, has announced his resignation effective Sept. 30. He has accepted a position as the business unit manager for the Aerospace Business Unit of Appareo Systems, LLC. Appareo Systems is headquartered in the NDSU Research Park on the NDSU campus. Grindberg has been with the NDSU Research Park for the past 10 years.

Long-term U.S competitiveness is threatened due to a lack of progress in U.S. child development areas that are the best indicators of human capital development, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress — The Competition that Really Matters. The authors found that U.S. gains in education, health, family income and childhood poverty and pro-family workplace policies have remained stagnate while our competitors including China and India have increased significantly since 1980. If U.S.

On Thursday, the Obama administration announced it had selected the TechBelt region, encompassing northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, to host the pilot institute of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The new National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) will operate as a partnership of more than 60 companies, research universities, community colleges and nonprofit organizations from the region.

The Small Business Administration released two Requests for Information (RFIs) on amendments to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In compliance with the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, SBA has made several key changes to the SBIR/STTR programs relating to eligibility, the award process, program administration and fraud, waste and abuse. Although the SBA has already published the final changes, it is requesting comments on the various amendments made.

With their vast knowledge about technology and access to expertise inside and outside the university, graduate and post doctoral students play an important role in helping spinoff successful companies. Moreover, universities should encourage students to explore entrepreneurship through spinoffs as a potential career option outside of academia. This recommendation is among three guidelines outlined in a recent report that examines the important roles of students and faculty in the university technology transfer process.

While still vulnerable to economic shocks both domestically and from international developments, states are reporting improved revenue, spending within budgeted amounts, and the ability to shore up rainy day funds. Ten states and the District of Columbia expect to finish FY12 with year-end balances of 10 percent or more, and new budget gaps are rare and confined to a few states. Overall, state fiscal offices appear better positioned to handle the challenges ahead.

Research collaborations between institutions of higher education are becoming an increasingly important facet of U.S. R&D, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF). A new NSF InfoBrief reveals that pass-through funds, R&D expenditures transferred from one institution to another, represented seven percent of total expenditures in 2009. In 2000, they represented only five percent of expenditures.

While job growth in the South is relatively strong (20 percent growth) compared to the nation (17 percent), many southern states are trapped in an economic cycle known as a low-wage/low-skill equilibrium, according to A Decade Behind: Breaking Out of the Low-Skill Trap in the Southern Economy — a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce.

Re- is a remarkable prefix. Use of these two little letters in front of a word can demand we pause to reflect, re-examine and review how our situation has changed — and so too should our actions.

Re- recognizes the status quo isn't acceptable anymore. It reveals a need to rethink what we're doing and to react differently. It requires us to reconsider our goals and desired outcomes. It urges us to respond more appropriately to a new reality with new opportunities.

Change is constant. Every era ushers in forces requiring people, businesses, institutions and governments to adapt. The Great Recession, globalization, demographic shifts and stunning technological advances herald a new era demanding significant transformation. You wouldn't know that looking at how most economic development is practiced, however. That has to change.

As the world changes, economic development must evolve to stay relevant. This year's conference will feature thought leaders on operating in a global environment, capital, higher education and demographics, who will share their take on how current trends in these areas will affect the innovation economy.

A moderated audience discussion will ensure this interactive plenary session will provide the spark to help us start re-thinking everything.

Learn about the plenary...

The Coca-Cola Company's Clyde Tuggle will share his perspective and response to the challenges of managing an enterprise in our complex global environment in a keynote address at SSTI's Annual Conference. Mr. Tuggle will discuss how his company is changing the game through social networking platforms to build one of the world's most recognized brands. Read more about our special keynote address..

With economic development at a crossroads, SSTI's Annual Conference will re-examine every facet of the field. This year's conference will offer breakout sessions in four thematic tracks: strategic direction, universities in economic development, investment & capital and from theory to practice. Participate in the track that most suits your interest, or mix-and-match to create a unique conference experience.

Conference tracks include:

Following the highly anticipated unveiling of 2012 award recipients during a special ceremony on October 29, the winners will meet with attendees for one-on-one interaction to share stories and offer advice. True to roundtable format, this session moves you around the room to promote dialogue and exposure to different viewpoints in the tech-based economic development field.

Beautifully adorned to capture the spirit of the ocean, the Arctic Room at the Georgia Aquarium is your starting point to re- connect with colleagues, experience close encounters with majestic beluga whales, and simply enjoy an evening among friends. This lively event provides a wonderful pre-conference opportunity to network with conference attendees and our local hosts, Invest Atlanta and Clark Atlanta University, over drinks and light hors d'oeuvres by Wolfgang Puck Catering. The event begins at 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 29.

SSTI's conference is packed with timely and thought-provoking workshops, discussion groups and networking opportunities certain to keep you busy during your Atlanta stay. But to fill the gaps in between and maximize your experience, we've arranged some exciting activities geared toward improving your overall wellness and better connecting you to the people you most want to meet and share ideas.

A limited number of conference sponsorship opportunities remain. Due to numerous requests, we have unveiled highly visible interactive opportunities at the right price point. A few of the exciting options include:

SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the following exemplary organizations helping to make SSTI's 16th Annual Conference a success.

Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a former governor of Pennsylvania, has been elected chairman of the State Science and Technology Institute's (SSTI) Board of Trustees. As chairman, Ridge will lead the board in providing strategic guidance and oversight of SSTI's operations as the group works to encourage economic growth through science, technology and innovation. "SSTI focuses on issues central to our nation's competitiveness," said Ridge.

A bill introduced less than three months ago to spur economic activity through high-impact university-industry R&D projects and provide tools for tech-based startup companies was passed with overwhelming support in the legislature. In addition to the matching fund, the bill includes funding to provide paid internships to startup technology companies and establishes an entrepreneur and startup venture capital mentoring program. Measures to address the state's skills gap and promote manufacturing competitiveness also are included.

In the first half of 2012, venture capitalists invested $13.1 billion in 1,707 deals, according to data from the quarterly survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). This represents a marked decline from the first half of last year, when investors completed 1,942 deals with $14.7 billion. Though activity picked up in the second quarter (Q2) in 2012, both deals and dollars remained lower than the same quarter last year.

In 2010, eight of 13 Western U.S. states currently maintain at least one tax exemption to encourage research and development according to a report from the Council of State Governments. In Trends in Western State Business Incentive, CSG looks at trends in the type and number of incentive business programs being used by 13 Western states — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.