In the March 10, 2000 Issue:

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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Louisiana Moving Toward Cluster-based ED
Citing the need to attract knowledge- and technology-based businesses to the state, Louisiana Governor Mike Foster has proposed converting the state’s Department of Economic Development (DED) into Louisiana, Inc., a private, state-chartered, not-for-profit corporation.

The corporation would be designed around a cluster-based economic development strategy focusing on nine traditional clusters and six “seed” high technology clusters with foundations in the state’s university research centers. Each of the clusters would have a Cluster Developer on staff at Louisiana, Inc, to lead the economic development efforts for that cluster by: conducting market analyses for the cluster; defining a market niche or vision for the state’s sector; identify best practices in other states; and prepare business plans to guide the corporations activities to support and grow the cluster. Each Cluster Developer’s compensation package would be performance based.

Seven new service offices would be responsible for coordinating federal grants, providing direct business assistance and financial services, fostering university/technology linkages, and handling communications and PR.

The state’s research universities are recognized as integral partners in the new development strategy. The Governor’s presentation to the media says,“We must capitalize on the research being performed in our universities and grow the dynamic sectors of our economy if we are going to end the brain drain.” Louisiana, Inc. would be responsible for establishing a new Research Foundation to assist the universities in streamlining technology transfer. The corporation also would provide support for developing university-related business incubators and research parks.

In addition to the cluster strategy, Louisiana, Inc. would assume responsibility for many existing economic development programs, including among others, the Technology Transfer Program, the Louisiana Economic Development Corp, the Small and Emerging Business Development Program, and the Workforce Development and Training Program. All regulatory functions and boards currently in DED would be transferred to other state agencies.

The new organization would receive DED’s $6.5 million annual appropriation. While all 127 positions within DED would be eliminated, DED staff may apply for the new unclassified positions within Louisiana, Inc. Louisiana, Inc. is expected to employ 24 people at higher salaries and to outsource many services.

The proposal requires an amendment to the state’s constitution and companion legislation defining the programs and responsibilities for the new corporation. The state legislature will not convene its 2000 Session until April 24, 2000.

More information on the new initiative is available on the Governor’s web site: http://www.gov.state.la.us/

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Gary Bachula to Leave Commerce
Commerce Secretary William Daley announced this week that Gary Bachula, Deputy Under Secretary for Technology, will be leaving his post April 7 to move to the private sector. Throughout Bachula’s tenure with the Clinton Administration, he has served as a the leading advocate for efforts to build stronger partnerships between federal R&D agencies and state technology programs. His willingness and commitment to explore new approaches to state-federal partnerships was demonstrated through the creation of the U.S. Innovation Partnership, the development of the pilot Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT), and his support of the State Science and Technology Institute.

In addition, on behalf of the White House, Bachula chaired the Federal government's interagency partnership with the automobile industry to develop high mileage advanced technology vehicles. The Administration's "Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles" (PNGV) recently met an important milestone with the roll-out by Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler of three proof-of-concept cars that achieve more than 70 miles per gallon.

Bachula also served as Vice Chair of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Technology, a member of the Interagency GPS Executive Board, Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Commission, as well as a number of other international technology partnerships.

Gary Bachula joined the Commerce Department's Technology Administration in August 1993 as Deputy to then Under Secretary Mary L. Good. Upon Dr. Good's departure in June 1997, Daley appointed Bachula Acting Under Secretary, a role he filled through October 1999. Dr. Cheryl Shavers is the Administration’s current Under Secretary for Technology.

Mr. Bachula was one of the originators of the State Science and Technology Institute. SSTI appreciates his dedication to improving state-federal relations and his guidance to SSTI since its inception.

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Wisconsin Legislature Considers High Tech Corporation
In his recent State of the State address, Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson called for the establishment of a new High Tech Corporation to assist in the development of companies for the New Economy. Toward that end, a bill has been introduced in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature to establish the corporation.

The bill requires the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to develop and maintain a nonprofit corporation to promote and support the creation, maturation, and retention of science and technology-based businesses in the state. The High Tech Corporation would be responsible for designing and implementing programs that focus on various elements of high-technology company development such as entrepreneurship, seed and venture capital, university involvement, and state government involvement.

The corporation would be overseen by a nine-member board that would supervise the activities of the corporation and raise a total of $250,000 per year in private sector funding.

In addition to private funds, the High Tech Corporation would be funded through the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. A one-time grant of $50,000 would be used for start-up and administrative expenses. Additional grants would be made upon the Corporation’s request for project funds with at least half of individual project funding coming from private sources. The legislation establishes a maximum of $250,000 per year to be allotted to the High Tech Corporation.

For more information or to view the full text of the legislation, visit: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html   and select “Senate Bill 429 1999 Regular Session”

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1998 R&D Data Available
This past winter, the National Science Foundation (NSF) released most of the statistical tables compiled from the 1998 surveys of federal, academic and industrial research and development expenditures. Also included are early release tables presenting federal support for science and engineering to universities, colleges and nonprofit institutions. These early releases provide researchers and data users — including state science and technology programs completing innovation indices — the most timely statistics available on the topics. The full reports will be published on the web later this year. Following are brief summaries of early release tables currently available:

Academic R&D
The series of 74 tables of academic research and development expenditures for 1998 include eleven tables presenting the data geographically and/or by state and 34 tables by individual institution. Five more tables address R&D expenditures at university-administered federally funded research and development centers.

To obtain accurate historical data on academic research and development expenditures, since many institutions revise their prior-years’ data each year, NSF advises readers to use only the latest detailed statistical tables for FY 1998 and not data published earlier. The tables can be downloaded from http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/srs00406/start.htm

Federal Support for Science and Engineering
Additional information on university, college and nonprofit research institutions can be obtained from the 25 tables compiled from the annual survey of federal science and engineering support for these entities. Three tables provide the geographic distribution of federal obligations, while four more present the survey results for each institution by state. Separate tables highlight the topic 100 institutions and historically black colleges and universities. These tables can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/srs00409/start.htm

Industrial R&D
Research and development expenditures in industry are collected in the NSF annual survey of industrial R&D. While none of the ten tables characterize the data geographically, they do provide valuable insights on industrial research activities. These tables can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/srs00408/start.htm

Federal R&D
The final group of 12 tables present summary information for federal R&D expenditures in 1998, 1999 and 2000. As with industrial R&D, no tables address the geographic distribution of the findings. These tables can be downloaded at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/srs00407/start.htm

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Federal R&D Opportunities
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has announced the availability of research funds to study microbiological hazards associated with the food animal production environment. All for-profit and non-profit entities (including state and local governments) are eligible to apply. Three to six cooperative agreements ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 each are expected to be made. Letters of intent are due by April 3, 2000 with applications due April 17, 2000. To view the complete proposal, visit http://www.fda.gov/cvm/fda/mappgs/microhazard.html

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy(EERE) is seeking applications for the Initiative on Cooperative Programs with States for Research, Development, and Demonstration. The objective is to pursue applied research, development, and demonstration designed to advance technologies that promote energy efficiency in the transportation, buildings, and industrial sectors. Eligible applicants include state energy offices, organizations that represent state energy offices, state energy research entities, and organizations that represent state energy research entities. A total of $6 million is expected for five to ten awards. Teaming arrangements are encouraged. A pre-application is strongly encouraged and due by March 20, 2000. The deadline for applications is April 27, 2000. For more information, contact: http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html

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