Tech Talkin’ Govs, Part II
This is the second installment of SSTI’s look at the Inaugural, Budget and State of the State Addresses delivered in the past week. With a heavy emphasis on alternative energy, TBED priorities continue to receive significant time in the speeches delivered by the nation’s governors at the start of the 2007 legislative season. Selected excerpts of new initiatives are provided below:
Arkansas
Arkansas Wins $9M NSF Grant for Biomass Power & Nanotechnology Research
Last week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority (ASTA) would receive $9 million through the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to enhance the state's research capabilities. The new funds will be used to support a broad range of activities, from attracting world-class scholars to fostering entrepreneurship, in select technology areas.
Tech-based ED Roundup
Arkansas Biotech Research Threatened With 20% Cut
People
The Fayetteville Economic Development Council named Steven Rust as its new executive director, beginning Aug. 15.
People
The director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development has announced his retirement. Jim Pickens will remain in the position until his replacement is named, according to local news reports.
Tech Council News Briefs
Arkansas Tech Council in Formative Stages
State and Local Tech-based ED RoundUp
San Pablo, CA, College to Use $2.1M EDA Grant to Build Biotech Incubator
Keys to Growth Involve Discovery, Engineering and Entrepreneurship, Report Says
A 19-year veteran of the technology-based economic development field has co-authored a guide that outlines strategies for growth in the knowledge-based economy. The Keys to Growth in the New Economy:Investing in Discovery, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship draws on the experiences of John Ahlen, who has led the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA) since 1984. The report is co-authored by Mark Diggs, Chairman and CEO of Maryland-based Ontology Works, Inc.
People
Larry Walther has replaced Jim Pickens as director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Pickens retired earlier this month.
People
Otto Loewer is leaving his position as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas to become the founding director of the university's new Economic Development Institute.
Summer Opportunities Lure Students Toward Tech Careers
Many efforts to encourage young Americans to pursue careers in science, engineering and manufacturing took advantage of students having the summer off from regular classes. Programs range from one-week science camps to season-long internships and cooperative workstudies. To help other communities begin planning for the end of the 2003 school year, SSTI highlights a few examples from this past summer in this article.
State S&T Round Up
Arizona
The Ways & Means Committee of the Arizona House of Representatives has passed a bill to eliminate $250 million in sales tax exemptions for a number of products and services, including telecommunications equipment and solar devices. If the bill passes, proceeds would be used to raise teachers' salaries.
Useful Stats: 2003 DoD Phase I SBIR Proposals and Awards
The Department of Defense (DoD) distributed $152.9 million in awards under its fiscal year 2003 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program competitions. A total of 1,882 awards were selected from a pool of more than 15,000 proposals across all states and the District of Columbia.
$10 M Research Fund, Loan Forgiveness Program Among New Tech Initiatives in Arkansas
The State of Arkansas has enacted several initiatives this year to assist science, technology, and research within the state. The two largest efforts are a $10 million research fund and a loan forgiveness program.
Arkansas Research Matching Fund
In an effort to improve the state’s national ranking of 49th place in research performance, the Arkansas General Assembly created the Arkansas Research Matching Fund. The $10 million fund will be administered by the
Local TBED Round Up
Blythewood, South Carolina
State & Local Round Up
Camden, Arkansas
The June 19, 2001 issue of The Bond Buyer reported that Camden, with a population just over 13,000, approved a one-cent sales tax to raise $6 million over four years to support downtown business revitalization efforts. Plans include construction of a business incubator and development of a 500-acre business park.
Missouri
People
Jim Pickens will be the permanent director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Mr. Pickens has served as interim director since February 2.
Upcoming Conferences of Note
The following is a sampling of the more than 60 events included in the SSTI Calendar of Events webpage: http://www.ssti.org/calendar.htm
Bipartisan Efforts Deliver New Tech Programs, Acts for Arkansas
A wide range of research and tech-based economic development bills were approved by the Arkansas legislature, which ended its legislative session in mid-April. With proposals and support coming both from Republican Governor Huckabee and the heavily Democratic legislature, Arkansas is the latest state to demonstrate broad bipartisan support for investing in science and technology.
Arkansas Universities Plan to Move Ahead, Despite Failure of Bond Issue
Last month, voters in Arkansas narrowly rejected a major bond proposal targeting technology and capital upgrades in higher education and actively supported by Gov. Mike Huckabee, leaving many to wonder what went wrong.
State Tobacco Settlement Funds & TBED: Where Are They Now?
Following the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement, states across the country set out to dedicate significant amounts of funding from their share of the settlement to support research and other TBED programs.
Incubators: Proven Tools for Tech-based Economic Development
The headlines of many tech and business publications scream of massive Internet incubator layoffs, closures, and restructuring. The rapid rise and fall of these organizations has left some local tech-based economic development practitioners wondering if encouraging the growth of incubator facilities is a worthwhile strategy to pursue.
New Governors Make TBED and Economic Development a Priority
Last Tuesday's elections resulted in the selection of 11 new governors across the country, and could lead to important changes for TBED communities in many states. Six races resulted in a change of party affiliation in the top state position, including races in Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. All six governorships changed from Republican to Democratic administrations. This is the first time in 12 years that a majority of governors have been Democrats.
Higher Education Issues: Bonds and Affirmative Action Ban Pass
Last Tuesday's election included four ballot initiatives pertaining to the issuance of bonds for capital improvement projects at higher education institutions as well as a highly watched amendment to the state constitution in Michigan to ban public institutions from utilizing affirmative action practices. All five measures passed.