Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. Information in this issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected. Any opinions expressed in the Digest do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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In the February 13, 1998 Issue:
USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service has announced that applications are being accepted for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program (DLT). The DLT helps rural schools and health care providers invest in telecommunications facilities and equipment to bring education and medical resources to their communities that otherwise might be unavailable to rural areas.
For FY98, $12.5 million in grants and $150 million in loans will be made available for distance learning and telemedicine projects. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has determined that the maximum amount that an applicant may request in a grant application is $350,000, and in a loan application is $6 million. Eligible applicants include rural schools, libraries, hospitals, health care clinics, Indian tribes, and consortiums, partnerships, and other incorporated organizations that operate educational or medical facilities in rural areas.
DLT is intended to fund projects which are primarily dynamic in nature, those systems which deliver critically needed educational and medical services in rural areas through structured interactive educational training and/or medical professional presence over distances. The program facilitates networking of multiple dispersed sites over a geographic area, rather than a stand alone entity. Projects funded are also required to be self-sustaining without the need for further grant or loan funding.
Applications for grants and combinations of loans and grants must be postmarked no later than June 1, 1998. Applications for loans must be postmarked no later than August 14, 1998. RUS is currently revising the application guide for the DLT Program. When it is ready, it will be available at www.usda.gov/rus/dlt/dltregs.htm. For further information, contact Ken Chandler, Acting Assistant Administrator-Telecommunication Program at 202/720-9554.
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR PROMOTES TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge recently announced the release of The Technology 21 Report — The Keystone Spirit: Putting Technology to Work. Commissioned by Ridge and the Ben Franklin/IRC Partnership Board, the Technology 21 initiative is an industry-led project that will implement a comprehensive technology policy for Pennsylvania.
The Tech 21 report calls for:
- A public/private fund to provide companies with a Pennsylvania source of capital;
- Aggressive marketing to develop a common theme of Pennsylvania as a high-tech state;
- Attraction of anchor firms to create a spawning ground where local high-tech firms can excel. Firms that would serve as anchors for a cluster of high-tech companies should be targeted for expansion and location in Pennsylvania;
- Tech communities to seek opportunities that will make Pennsylvania a living laboratory for the next generation of technology, primarily information technology, products and services;
- A technology-ready workforce to ensure that a supply of technically skilled workers can meet the demand of technology-related jobs;
- The tax and regulatory climate to continue to change to establish a true technology-intensive business climate;
- A seamless delivery system to transform independent service provider operations into an integrated and collaborative statewide network; and
- Emerging technology partnerships to closely link research institutions to federal and commercial projects and engage in greater inter-institutional collaboration and intellectual property and commercialization strategies.
- The Tech 21 team includes technology leaders from six broadly defined industry clusters: advanced manufacturing; advanced materials; agribusiness; biotechnology; environmental technology; and information technology.
- Ridge also announced that the state will request $10 million from the legislature to create a Catalyst Stage Fund. The Pennsylvania School Employees Pension System has committed $30 million to the Fund and Safeguard Scientifics Inc., a private venture capital firm that will administer the Fund, has committed another $10 million. The Fund will provide gap financing in the $250,000 to $2 million range.
- The governor has been conducting a series of events and announcements, tagged as the "21 Days of Technology," to recognize the importance of technology and high-tech firms to the state's economy.
POSITION AVAILABLE
The Washington Technology Center (WTC) is seeking an Executive Director. WTC is the state of Washington's enterprise for joint industry-university technology development partnerships. The Center supports technologies for industry application for Washington companies in the areas of advanced materials and manufacturing, biotechnology/biomedical devices, computer systems and microelectronics.
The Executive Director has overall management and administrative responsibility for four research areas/programs and a ten person staff. The Executive Director serves as the primary WTC representative with industry, university and government leadership, responsible for long range planning, major facilities planning, development and implementation of WTC policies and procedures.
The candidate will have extensive management experience in industry; broad knowledge of engineering, science, and technology commercialization; a Ph.D. in an appropriate field preferred, other exceptional relevant experience will substitute for Ph.D.; familiar with industry-university partnerships; and excellent supervisory and communications skills.
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. For an information packet call 206/616-3102. Interested candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to Peter Odabashian, WTC Search Committee, Box 352140, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. Position will be open until filled. The WTC is an equal opportunity employer.
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