People
Dr. Robert Center has retired. Dr. Center was the executive director of the Washington Technology Center.
People & Organizations
The Purdue Center for Regional Development has appointed Ed Morrison to the position of economic policy advisor.
Indiana Pension Fund Allocates $100M to VC
With assets totalling more than $15 billion, the Indiana Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) has decided to place $100 million into higher-risk equity placements through its first Indiana Investment Fund. The fund will exclusively target venture capital deals within Indiana, according to the PERF news release. Like pension funds in many states, PERF has a requirement to place a certain percentage of its assets in private equity. The PERF goal is 5 percent and includes real estate deals as well.
EDA Seeds $3M Growth Fund in Washington
A $1.46 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to the Sirti Foundation is making possible a $3 million loan fund to technology companies within a 10-county region of Eastern Washington. The program provides another example of the non-traditional use of EDA funds to support tech-based economic development strategies. In addition, the deal structure may serve as a model to help other public agencies encourage TBED activities typically outside the scope or possibility of many public entities.
Newest Advanced Technology Education Center Opens
The grand opening on April 9 of a new technology education center in the Seattle area marked a milestone for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program. The new Northwest Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET) is the second major ATE center NSF has supported in the fields of information technology and telecommunications.
People
WSA (formerly the Washington Software Alliance) announced that Kathy Wilcox will step down as the organization's president and CEO at the end of 2006. Wilcox intends to work with for-profit and nonprofit businesses as an advisor on operations, business development, board structuring and fundraising.
Job Corner: Griffin Analytical Technologies Seeks Proposal Coordinator
Griffin Analytical Technologies, a producer of premium chemical detection systems, is seeking a proposal coordinator to generate research proposals in response to federal and state funding solicitations. Griffin serves U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security applications, environmental health and safety monitoring, and research and teaching laboratories.
People
Purdue University has hired Mark Smith as its new Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development project administrator.
Job Corner: Griffin Seeks Director of Laboratory Operations and Applications Development
Griffin Analytical Technologies, LLC, a producer of premium chemical detection systems, is seeking a director of laboratory operations and applications development. Griffin serves U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security applications, environmental health and safety monitoring, and research and teaching laboratories. The director will manage the workflow of Griffins labs, manage a staff of five, support research programs, and support sales and marketing efforts. A Ph.D. degree is preferred.
People
Indiana Economic Development Corp. President Mickey Maurer will resign at the end of 2006, fulfilling his pledge to Gov. Mitch Daniels to serve two years.
Washington Boasts High Employment Growth
Washington has the second highest employment growth rate in the U.S., according to the 2001 Index of Innovation and Technology for Washington — a report released by the Washington Technology Center. The state's 33 percent increase in employment growth rate over the last five years allowed it to move up four positions, second only to Utah.
State & Local Round Up
Indiana
The Indiana legislature approved a $50 million appropriation over the next biennium for Indiana's 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. The program supports the development and commercialization of advanced technology. Created in 1999 (see related 9/10/99 Digest story), the fund received $50 million in the 2000-2001 biennium.
People
Bruce Kidd is the first director of entrepreneurship for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
People
David Goodrich announced he will leave his position as CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership at the end of the year.
People
Nathan Feltman was named Secretary of Commerce and president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC). Feltman, the organization's executive vice president and general counsel, replaces outgoing IEDC President Mickey Maurer.
SSTI Job Corner
The two position opportunities described below were recently posted on the SSTI Job Corner. More information, including complete details on responsibilities, qualifications and application deadlines (when available), is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
SSTI Job Corner
Complete descriptions of the position openings described below are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Indiana Governor Proposes Higher Ed Initiatives to Stem 'Brain Drain'
State lottery would be leased to private company to finance fund, scholarships
Two initiatives recently proposed by Gov. Mitch Daniels would keep graduating college students in-state and lure world-class researchers to Indiana's public universities. However, a lottery lease plan that would, in part, finance the initiatives may be more the center of attention with Indiana legislators.
People
Tiffany McVeety stepped down from her post as director of the Northwest Women's Business Center to become a business banker for Shoreline Bank. Rebecca Villareal replaces McVeety.
Northwest's Tri-Cities Has Strong Tech Presence in U.S.
The Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco) ranks near the top 10 percent nationwide in technology industry growth and offers significant quality-of-life advantages over comparable communities, according to a recent report on local technology business.
People
The 82nd Annual Congress of Cities in Charlotte, N.C., elected Jim Hunt, a councilmember of Clarksburg, W.Va., as the new president of the National League of Cities. Hunt follows Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
People
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels named Mitch Maurer, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), as the new state secretary of commerce. Maurer replaces Pat Miller, who stepped down to resume her role as president and CEO of her company, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.
Progress Disappointing Despite Thoughtful Initiatives in Indiana, Report Says
While Indiana has demonstrated strong competitiveness in industry and university R&D and performed well in entrepreneurial programs, the state lags most of its regional competitors and many of the 50 states in terms of production of new innovation workers and educational attainment, says a new report from Techpoint and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Governor's Budget Eliminates Indiana's $20M Life Sciences Fund
Governor's Budget Continues Washington's Efforts in STEM Education
Many of Washington's programs aimed at enhancing the skills of educators in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) fields will continue to receive state support in the coming biennium under Gov. Christine Gregoire's budget proposal - while other TBED initiatives did not fare as well.