The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the selection of 97 loan and grant recipients in 24 states that will receive $20.1 million in rural business development funds. The loans and grants are expected to assist in creating or saving nearly 10,000 rural jobs and supports 772 business ventures as part of the Bush Administration's efforts to spur economic development in rural areas.
Following extensive public consultation, the French Ministry for Industry and Research has announced a revamped national strategy to boost support for research and development (R&D) activities in France. The plan, to be implemented in 2004, aims to make financial resources for innovative companies more accessible and to increase France’s appeal to the international R&D community.
Some of the key measures include:
In 2003, the nation's 20 top metropolitan areas will generate $4 trillion in output, or 36 percent of the national economy, according to a new report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Conference’s Council for Investment in the New American City. However, overall employment growth this year is predicted to be 0.1 percent in those same metro areas, with nine experiencing either no job growth or continued employment contraction.
U.S. businesses spent $180.4 billion in non-federal funds for research and development in 2000, according to the National Science Foundation's (NSF) annual Survey of Industrial Research and Development. The figure reflects 13 percent growth over 1999 findings and the 47th consecutive year of increases. Federal funding for industrial R&D, however, fell to $19.1 billion in 2000, a 15 percent drop from 1999.
Meeting short-term budget demands are consuming more and more of state, local and academic tech-based economic development practitioners' time. However, keeping an eye on the long-range funding picture is critical for sustained success. One of the most important federal sources for supporting the research enterprise is the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has begun a review of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that will examine the program's mission and execution. MEP requested the independent analysis.
G. Michael Alder has been named executive director of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama.
Thomas Anderson is the new director of the Automation Alley Technology Center in Michigan.
G. Michael Alder has been named executive director of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama.
Thomas Anderson is the new director of the Automation Alley Technology Center in Michigan.
Colorado Governor Bill Owens has appointed Tim Fritz as the director of the Office of Aerospace and Aeronautics.
Hempstead (New York) Mayor James Garner was elected to serve as the 61st president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors during its annual meeting this week.
Package Isn't All Governor Expected; Veto Possible
Breaking new technologies into traditional markets can be challenging, particularly in the energy field it seems. To help overcome that hurdle, the State of Pennsylvania has undertaken a $5 million initiative to help finance the implementation of clean and renewable energy technologies such as biomass and wind power.
Since her inauguration in January, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has pushed legislation intended to increase university tech transfer and commercialization (see related item in this issue). But will it work? Do economic incentives really encourage university researchers to pursue commercialization goals? Or are academics "pure" scientists, truly beyond monetary motives as many would argue?
With a combined annual research budget totaling $4.8 billion, New Mexico's 12 largest research facilities signed a Memorandum of Agreement on May 30 to help turn intellectual property into jobs for New Mexicans. Members of the newly formed New Mexico Technology Research Corridor (TRC) include:
While the nation’s manufacturing sector continues to face major challenges, the National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM) suggests in a new white paper that the U.S. can compete successfully with low-wage countries if industry and government rally around two basic goals — increase labor productivity by greatly accelerating the use of advanced technologies and leverage national resources through a major expansion of public-private partnerships.
Arizona Legislation to Encourage Tech Transfer Awaits Voters' Approval
To develop and promote higher education research facilities and faculty in Virginia, Gov. Mark Warner proposed $218.8 million in his fiscal year 2006-08 biennial budget proposal for investment in university R&D. In response, state institutions of higher education have pledged to match the governor's proposal with a $299 million commitment.
Nearly 40,000 people in 120 countries have placed deposits with the British commercial space company for the opportunity to become tourists in space, according to Virgin Galactic. Last Tuesday, New Mexico's governor said he wants the state to spend $100 million over the next three years to help get them there.
Following months of debate that ended in a veto last month by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, an agreement was made last week on a $600 million tax relief package for businesses, which now awaits the governor's anticipated signature. Gov.
One of the most critical federal partners involved either directly or indirectly in determining the success of most state tech-based economic development strategies seeks input from the science and engineering (S&E) community in the development of its next five-year plan.
On paper, the Jan. 4 FedEx Rose Bowl, which pits the Universities of Texas and Southern California against each other, will decide college football's national champion.
Most of the media coverage for the MoneyTree™ Survey of venture capital investments, prepared quarterly through collaboration of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Thomson Venture Economics and the National Venture Capital Association, focuses on the amount of money invested in a particular state or region during the given period and its change relative to another given time period.
With the upcoming two Monday holidays for Christmas and New Year's Day, the next issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest will be published on Jan. 9, 2006. The Funding Supplement will reconvene publication the week of Jan. 9 as well.
On Wednesday, President Bush signed the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003, providing $20 billion in fiscal relief to state governments. Half of the $20 billion will come through an increase in the federal share of Medicaid.