Cities Pursue Innovative Strategies to Grow Clean Technology Businesses
As renewable energy and environmental technologies emerge as some of the promising industries for high-tech economic development, more cities are seeking new ways to boost clean technology research and businesses. Austin, San Jose, Berkeley, Pasadena and Boston have been singled out for their efforts to promote cleantech industries by SustainLane Government, a nonprofit Internet-based organization that provides current practices and news about municipal sustainability.
People
Oleg Kaganovich will resign as CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) in June 2007, but remain a member of SARTA's board of directors.
People
The New York Biotechnology Association has named Nathan Tinker its executive director, replacing Karin Duncker, who resigned in 2006.
People
Rich Cook has joined the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative as venture center director.
People & TBED Organizations
Publisher's Note: SSTI notes with much sadness the March 5 passing of Indiana State Sen. David Ford, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. David was a good friend not only of SSTI's, but also of the tech-based economic development community across the nation. In addition to being a tireless and cheerful advocate for investing in science and technology, he was also a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and we miss him greatly.
People
John Austin is the newly appointed executive director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan.
Tom Cech announced he will return to the University of Colorado at Boulder next year to pursue laboratory research and teaching after eight years as president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Looking at State Equity Intensity Changes Leader Board
SSTI’s VC Dashboard Value Enlarged with Addition of Per Capita Data
SSTI Job Corner
More information on these opportunities and others is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Regional Efforts in Southeast Michigan Leads to Shared Impact Report
Rallying the myriad local organizations, chambers of commerce and political jurisdictions of any large metropolitan area toward a shared economic development agenda is challenging. To twist a phrase from supply-side economics, the “trickle around” theory of benefits – when any major economic development project occurs in one community will have spillover benefits for the entire region – is a tough sell to communities and school systems trying to keep their budgets in the black.
Incubator RoundUp: Growing and Sustaining High Technology Companies
Offering customized workspace such as wet laboratories and specialized research equipment is one of the many benefits provided by technology-focused incubators. Access to university research, business mentoring and administrative support services often accompany the reduced rent facilities with the goal of growing technology companies into successful, self-sustaining enterprises. Following are select announcements of recently launched incubators and partnerships from across the nation.
Two Reports Highlight Opportunities for State Broadband Policies
Although the U.S. broadband infrastructure has expanded rapidly over the past decade, 45 percent of rural areas still lack access to high-speed Internet services. A recent issue brief from the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices provides a number of strategies that have proven effective in expanding broadband access, particularly in underserved rural areas.
People & TBED Organizations
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) as the winner of the "Excellence in Technology-led Economic Development" award, as part of EDA's Excellence in Economic Development Awards 2008. BFTP, created in 1983, has regional offices in Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and State College.
People & TBED Organizations
The Aerospace, Manufacturing and Information Technology (AMIT) Cluster of Southern Arizona has consolidated its operations with the Arizona Technology Council.
Tech Talkin’ Govs, Part I
SSTI’s eighth annual Tech Talkin’ Govs series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from governors’ state-of-the-state, budget and inaugural addresses. With mounting budget deficits spanning the nation, this year’s anticipated overarching theme is proposals aimed at mending states’ finances with less focus on the introduction of new initiatives. The first installment of the series includes excerpts from California and New York.
California
Mixed Results for TBED in State Budget Proposals
Coinciding with a plethora of state-of-the-state addresses delivered over the past week, several governors have released budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year. The following states’ budgets include crucial TBED investments and reductions in programs.
California
Local Capital Programs Help Address Regional Gaps
Although the national venture capital investment continues to expand, many parts of the country still lack access to reliable sources of business capital. Even in states that rank in the top tier for venture investment, there are often insufficient capital resources to support businesses at every stage of development.
People & TBED Organizations
William "Chip" Farmer was named interim director of the Greater Richmond Technology Council. Farmer replaces Robert Stolle, who left in December 2007 to join Core Consulting, a business and information technology consulting firm.
People
Lisa Kuuttila is the first CEO of Michigan State University Technologies, a business organization to train MSU students in the commercialization of science and technology.
People
J.D. Stack replaces Oleg Kaganovich as the new CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance.
TBED People
William Archey, CEO of AeA, announced he will retire in 2008.
People
Victor Hwang, the immediate past president of Larta Institute, has co-founded T2 Venture Capital.
People & TBED Organizations
The business development organizations Ann Arbor SPARK and Ann Arbor IT Zone are in the process of finalizing a merger. The resulting organization will be Ann Arbor SPARK.
People & TBED Organizations
Christopher Hansen will succeed William Archey as AeA's next president and CEO. Hansen will start on Nov. 15, overlapping with Archey until February 2008 to ensure a smooth transition.
People & TBED Organizations
Dr. Daryush Ila was chosen to serve as executive director of the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee. Ila heads the Alabama A&M University Research Institute.
Michigan Lawmakers Approve Budget: 21st Century Jobs Fund Spared, Three Universities Receive Special Status
For the better part of the year, lawmakers in Michigan have faced the daunting task of balancing both a budget shortfall for fiscal year 2007 and a nearly $1.6 billion deficit for FY 2008. An agreement between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers was reached in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, following a one-month extension of the deadline and a brief government shutdown.