Department of Energy
ARRA includes $39 billion in stimulus funding for the Department of Energy (DoE) as part of the package's support for upgrading the country's infrastructure and power grid. DoE allocations include funding for the department's science office, research grants, and energy efficiency programs.
A big week for big cheeses:
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter selected James Ellick to head the Idaho Department of Commerce. Ellick brings a tech perspective to the department, having run four venture capital backed tech companies in Silicon Valley in his past.
Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher named John Hindman, retired former vice president of strategic communications and public affairs for UPS Airlines, to run the state's Economic Development Cabinet.
John Mengacci, CEO of Connecticut Innovations, announced his resignation.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Fred Mondragon as the director of the state's economic development department. Mondragon had been economic development director for the city of Albuquerque.
New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer nominated Edward Reinfurt to serve as executive director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation. Reinfurt has been vice president of the Business Council of New York State, a statewide 4,000-member chamber of commerce, since its founding in 1980.
SSTI’s Annual Conference provides the opportunity to place your organization at the center of the tech-based economic development community, reinforce your brand, and build relationships in 2007 and beyond.
Whichever version of the H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), emerges from conference committee would provide a significant reversal to the direction spending has gone for the past four years for federal research and development, based on data released by the National Science Foundation during the past week. From FY 2005 through FY 2008, federal R&D obligations decreased 7.8 percent in constant dollars.
On March 12 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in San Francisco, SSTI is co-hosting a meeting with officials from the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that we would encourage you or one of your colleagues to attend. TIP and MEP are two of the most market-driven programs operated by the federal government. Both programs have launched new investments and innovative services in the last year. The meeting will give you a chance to learn about:
Gov. Jim Doyle unveiled today an economic stimulus plan for Wisconsin that includes a proposal to enhance tax credits for angel and venture investors in support of start-up technology companies. A coalition assembled to improve Wisconsin's existing investor tax credits law applauded the governor's announcement to refine the four-year-old program.
Adding to a growing number of governors proposing to consolidate state economic development agencies, Gov. Jodi Rell last week announced in her budget request her intention to overhaul Connecticut's job creation infrastructure by merging several state agencies into the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
According to the most recent release of gross domestic product (GDP) by metro area, 23 of the nation's 363 metro areas experienced a decrease in inflation-adjusted GDP from 2002 to 2006. Benchmarking against the aggregate U.S. metro GDP growth rate over those five years - which increased 12.8 percent - 167 of the nation's metros grew at a faster rate.
The complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
LEESBURG -- Lake County commissioners agreed to partner with the city and the University of Central Florida to beef up a business incubator in hopes of attracting more start-up companies.
The partnership includes $85,000 in county funds for the UCF Research Foundation to support the incubator's staffing. The incubator, which was created last year, is at the Leesburg Business & Technology Center on Market Street.
Complete descriptions of the position openings described below are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
The Arkansas Department of Economic Development has been renamed the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Leadership Oklahoma announced that Doug Fuller will be the organization's new director, effective May 7.
The Arkansas Department of Economic Development has been renamed the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Leadership Oklahoma announced that Doug Fuller will be the organization's new director, effective May 7.
Beth Gorin stepped down as CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Rick Homans will step down as secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department to become executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, effective May 1.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has named Robert Hooley as vice president of emerging technology.
The Montana SBIR Outreach Program is changing its name to the Montana Technology Innovation Partnership.
J.D. Stack replaces Oleg Kaganovich as the new CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance.
Status of some of the major legislation in the 2009 session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature as of Feb. 6:
SB 1 by Gumm NICK'S LAW: Would mandate coverage by private health insurers of the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Referred to Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee.
SB 59 by Rice VETERANS INSURANCE: Would make some uninsured veterans eligible for a state premium assistance insurance program. Passed by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, sent to full Senate.