Pressure on state budgets is at a historic high, and, ultimately, it's going to be state legislators that will make the decisions on how limited resources are allocated. The Road Ahead: The View from Legislators will provide you the opportunity to get a candid assessment from two legislators on what is needed to build support for tech-based economic development in this tough environment and what they see as the road ahead.
Everyday more organizations are realizing the potential of mentoring programs to help assist high-tech entrepreneurs and to build stronger tech industries. In recognition of this growing trend, SSTI will feature two sessions on entrepreneurial mentoring at this year's Annual Conference. The first, Sustaining Entrepreneur-in-Residence & Mentoring Programs, will examine how these programs recruit, retain and support experieinced mentors.
What are the steps in building a successful regional alliance?
How can my region benefit from the Obama Administration's vision for innovation?
Where should I look for funding now with state budgets so tight?
Bank bailouts may be capturing all of the headlines, but a new initiative from the European Union (EU) promises to inject a considerable pool of money during the downturn to accelerate the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The European Commission, as well as participants from the European research community and industry will contribute nearly 1 billion Euros (U.S. $1.28 billion) to the public-private partnership over the next six years to fund research.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced earlier this month the establishment of five new university-based centers developing interdisciplinary research and education programs in partnership with industry in the areas of biorenewable chemicals, green energy systems, communications networks, medical implants and smart lighting.
Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Lawmakers called into special session on Friday approved a $75 million incentive package for a Texas-based energy company to build five biofuel facilities in the state expected to generate 1,000 new jobs through a total $500 million investment. The package approved by lawmakers also includes $4 million for a workforce training fund through the state's institutions of higher education and up to $2 million for biomass research at Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University.
By 2035, nearly 40% of all new energy capacity will come from renewable energies according to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). However, one resource or technology will not meet the energy needs of the future. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive plan that includes a combination of many technologies and resources. This plan may include energy efficiency, natural gas, cleaner coal technologies, nuclear energy, smart grid technologies and renewable energy.
SSTI is proud to premier a new type of event at our 14th Annual Conference. The Power Roundtable is equal parts best tips of the trade, informational interviews, and speed dating. We'll start with nationally recognized experts in six critical areas for TBED providing a rapid-fire roundtable of their top four insider tips for success — so you are guaranteed to leave with two dozen of the most important lessons for better TBED practices.
The "New Realities" will have a dramatic effect on the future of metros and the metro's effect on U.S. economic growth and prosperity, according to a recent Brookings Institute study. Metropolitan areas have changed from their traditional groupings (e.g., Sun Belt vs. Rust Belt and Southwest vs. North East) into a new demographic seven-category typology of metropolitan cities. Metros that have diversified successfully were among the "demographic winners" of the 2000s. However, metros still face similar issues regarding an educated and skilled workforce.
It is often taken for granted that small businesses are the primary vehicle of employment growth in the private sector. While this is debated, academics have struggled to demonstrate a strong inverse relationship between firm size and job creation. A recent paper by John Haltiwanger of the University of Maryland and Ron S. Jarmin and Javier Miranda of the U.S. Census Bureau shows that once the data is adjusted to account for firm age, there appears to be no systematic relationship between firm size and growth.
Kevin Carr was named CEO of Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp., after serving as interim leader since June 2009. KTEC is a public-private partnership charged with promoting tech-based economic development throughout the state.
TechConnect WV, a nonprofit advancing technology-based economic development, is seeking an executive director and solicits interest from individuals and entities able to provide services on a contractual basis.
The candidate elected as New Mexico's 27th governor will make history as the state's first female governor. Democratic nominee Diane Denish and Republican nominee Susana Martinez both offer plans largely focused on New Mexico's economic recovery and balancing the state budget. Denish's plan centers on support for small businesses such as greater access to capital and establishing a Federal Innovation Research Matching Grant program for small, high-tech companies.
Both candidates for Wisconsin governor want to reorganize and refocus the state's agency for job creation. Tom Barrett (D) has proposed moving the Department of Commerce's economic development staff into a new Office of Job Creation headed by a director who would report directly to the governor. Scott Walker (R) would hire an experienced economic development professional to head up a newly consolidated agency that replaces the department.
Proposals to cut taxes in order to generate job creation and to raise taxes to generate new state revenue are dominating the polls in several of the 36 states across the country where ballot measures appear. Voters also will be asked to decide on issues surrounding budgets, elections, environment, and education, among others. Missing from this year's slate of proposals is major bond funding for science and technology initiatives or R&D efforts.
Gov. Jan Brewer is directing $10 million in federal stimulus funds to Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) to support research and education initiatives. The bulk of the money ($6.5 million) will go toward research initiatives and the remaining $3.5 million will be directed toward education programs. SFAz was created in 2006 as a public-private organization to strengthen the state's economy through investments in science and technology. Arizona's neighbor to the north, Utah, also directed a portion of federal stimulus funds to enhance its technology-based economy.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced the winners of its tenth annual Innovation in Economic Development Awards. The awards highlight some of the nation's best practices for promoting economic development through collaborative initiatives. Winners include San Diego's CONNECT, Lexington, KY's Bluegrass Business Development Partnership, the Pennsylvania Center for Trade Development Envoy Program and the University of Arizona Tech Park's Solar Zone.
The U.S. will need to shift from a national S&T strategy predicated on the 1950s paradigm of "control and isolation" to a global innovation environment focused on "engagement and partnerships," according to a new National Academies report. S&T Strategies of Six Countries: Implications for the United States provides an overview of national science and technology strategies in Japan, Singapore, Brazil, China, India and Russia, and concludes that the U.S. should focus on improving its balance of "top-down" and "bottom-up" innovation.
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is seeking an enterprising, energetic and experienced executive director for Innovation and Commercialization. The executive director will be charged to accelerate and strengthen the university's "Innovation Eco-system" that will be recognized and emulated globally by industry, academia and governments. In its vision to become the "Innovation University" RIT is investing heavily in a unique set of academic, research and technological initiatives, programs, and resources.
A research consortium led by Pennsylvania State University will receive up to $122 million over the next five years to develop an Energy Innovation Hub focused on developing technologies for making buildings more energy efficient. The team will pursue a research, development and demonstration program targeting technologies for single buildings and district-wide systems, according to a news release. This is the third innovation hub announced by DOE this year to receive FY10 funding.
Nearly 90 percent of government funds available for transition assistance in the Space Coast region would be used for a fast-track competitive grant process through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), according to recommendations from a task force convened by President Barack Obama. Under the plan, $35 million in grants would be awarded to the most promising job creation and economic development programs aimed at creating a strong economic base in the region as the Space Shuttle program winds down.
Establishing manufacturing centers to provide resources for small biotech companies to bring products to market and creating teams at the National Institutes of Health to identify promising research are among a list of recommendations resulting from a comprehensive review of the federal government's system to produce medical countermeasures against bioterrorism threats.