Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and lawmakers recently gave the state's Department of Education a substantial boost by increasing the budget for the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) by two-thirds for fiscal year 2008 – a leading example in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Should a fall of 11 places in international rankings for broadband penetration be of concern for U.S. policymakers? Expanding broadband access for business and residents has become a key element of many regional development strategies. The Internet has become a key resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as a necessary ingredient in preparing students for the modern workforce.

Like many states, Wisconsin has struggled to attract consistent attention from the national venture capital industry. Capital can be especially difficult to obtain in the state, since entrepreneurs with limited resources are often unable to participate in the expensive and complicated process of presenting their cases to venture capital firms based on the coasts.

What are the main reasons the innovative output of one locale differs from another? If one wanted to explain the differences in patent production between two states, it may be reasonable to look at metrics such as the amount of R&D investments by each state, and the number of employed researchers in the state’s workforce. In other words, one can investigate how inputs to innovation affect the outputs of innovation.

The National Science Foundation has released the 2004 results of its annual survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development series. The report provides a breakdown of federal R&D obligations by R&D and R&D plant for federal agency, type of performer, character of work, field of science and engineering, and geography.

Building on past reports calling for higher levels of educational achievement in the South, the 2007 Southern Growth Polices Board Report outlines a three-pronged strategy to aid the southern region in attaining its goal of building a globally competitive workforce. The annual Report on the Future of the South, released earlier this month, labels its new approach "Convene-Connect-Commit," addressing the process in detail.

Fantastic Marketing Opportunities Still Available Excitement for SSTI's 11th annual conference is growing as the entire exhibit space is now sold out - several months before the event. There are, however, several other options available to build awareness of your TBED program and generate beneficial relationships with the nation's top state and regional TBED decision makers at this year's event.

Complete descriptions of the position openings described below are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

William Archey, CEO of AeA, announced he will retire in 2008.



Clay Blair resigned as chairman of Kansas Bioscience Authority.