Two years following its creation, the Louisiana Technology Fund has $2.3 million to help the early-stage technology companies for which it was intended, the Baton Rouge-based Advocate reported earlier this month. The fund stems from 2002 legislation that revived Louisiana's Certified Capital Companies (CAPCOs) program.
A bill designed to encourage collaborative research among universities and between universities and industry passed the Senate last Friday. The Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act of 2004 will allow researchers and inventors who work for different organizations to share information without losing the ability to file a patent.
A pilot program meant to spur entrepreneurship with community involvement is set to begin in Torrington, Wy., in the next two months. A joint venture between the Goshen County School District, Eastern Wyoming College, and Goshen County Economic Development, the project, Planned Approach to Community Entrepreneurship (PACE), is designed to facilitate small businesses and help them achieve higher success rates.
Led by Govs. Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) announced last week it would support opportunities to develop a clean, secure and diversified energy system for the West and to capitalize on the region's energy resources. The New Mexico and California governors, respectively, are among those represented by the nonprofit WGA.
A new agreement between the State of Maryland and the National Security Agency (NSA) is expected to lead to new technologies for both. The two formalized a partnership earlier this month, signing a memorandum of understanding at the Maryland State House.
As the U.S. approaches the July Fourth weekend, during which time we celebrate all the good that is America, columnists and politicians across the country will sing the praises of free-market capitalism. And with our material abundance and relative wealth compared to the vast majority of the world's population, examples of success for our chosen economic system are numerous.
Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center, a Rolla-based, multi-office nonprofit organization that provides business and technical assistance to manufacturers, agricultural producers and startups, is seeking candidates for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. The full description and application instructions can be found at http://www.missourienterprise.org/Ceo.asp
With the establishment of a $1 million trust fund to serve as seed money, the new Oklahoma Institute of Technology intends to position the state as a national leader in information technology, engineering, and biotechnology. Governor Frank Keating signed Senate Bill 694 into law June 8, creating the public-private collaboration. Tulsa World news reports indicate supporters of the institute anticipate raising a $100 million endowment for the project and securing additional state support.
Editor’s Note: Results of the 2000 Census indicate that the U.S. population is aging. The median age, at 35.3 years, is the highest ever, and those 62 years and older total almost 10 percent more than they did in 1990. In every state except West Virginia, the census shows an increase of at least 20 percent in the 35 to 54 age group. Twenty-seven states saw a more than 30 percent increase in that age cohort.
SSTI has prepared a 50-state table presenting the 1990 and 2000 figures and percent change for selected age cohorts: 25-34, 35-54, and 55 & over. The table can be accessed on-line at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/061501t2.htm
Indiana
The Indiana legislature approved a $50 million appropriation over the next biennium for Indiana's 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. The program supports the development and commercialization of advanced technology. Created in 1999 (see related 9/10/99 Digest story), the fund received $50 million in the 2000-2001 biennium.
Cliff Numark is leaving his position as president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance to join a Los Angeles-based private consulting practice.
Cliff Numark is leaving his position as president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance to join a Los Angeles-based private consulting practice.
Governor Don Siegelman has named Norm Davis as the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Mr. Davis had been serving as the State Banking Superintendent. Jim Hayes, director of the Alabama Development Office, has announced his resignation.
Jim Pickens will be the permanent director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Mr. Pickens has served as interim director since February 2.
The roller coaster ride that represents Washington's manufacturing policies and fiscal investments took a turn that was welcomed by MEP supporters when the House subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and State appropriations last week decided to fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at $106 million in fiscal year 2005.
Many states and communities across the country want to be leaders in the much anticipated bio-based economic boom. Even more companies are hoping to create the next great multi-billion-dollar pill. For a few firms, that push for profits may be too great, replacing the original focus on human health or environmental issues.
Scientific research, technological development and innovation are the heart of a knowledge-based economy, and in order to strengthen this sector in Europe, the European Union’s (EU) research budget needs to be doubled, according to a new plan released by the Commission of The European Communities.
One of the more interesting uses of funds from the national tobacco settlement with the states, Virginia officials announced a $12 million economic development and broadband technology infrastructure initiative to serve more than 25 towns, cities and counties of rural Virginia.
More than $800 million for science, engineering, research, and commercialization activities
Collaborative partnerships between universities and industry, a long-standing element of many states’ tech-based economic development strategies, are not without significant issues that threaten to hamper their effectiveness and limit the promises of research, according to Working Together, Creating Knowledge: The University-Industry Research Collaboration Initiative.
The placement and retention of women in apprenticeships and positions in nontraditional occupations (A/NTO) has posed significant challenges in fields requiring high technology skills, including computer-based information technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and general services.
On Thursday, the Department of Health & Human Services and NASA announced respectively 4 and 30 government-owned inventions available for licensing. SSTI has consolidated the announcements on the accompanying webpage: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/061501t.htm
The President intends to nominate John J. Young to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Mr. Young has been with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense since 1991.
The President intends to nominate John J. Young to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Mr. Young has been with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense since 1991.