In the January 5, 2001 Issue:

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. Information in this issue of 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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University R&D, Tech Big Winners in Competing NY Proposals
Whether it is proposal A, proposal B, or some combination of A and B, university research and development efforts in New York stand to gain an additional $40-50 million per year for the next five years. The new funding would be in addition to the $135 million injection of state funding directed toward university research excellence through the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). While both proposals focus heavily on university research, the initiatives vary substantially.

Generating Employment through New York Science (GEN-NY-SIS, for short), targets biotechnology and was unveiled by Senator Majority Leader Joseph Bruno in the middle of December. The five-year plan calls for $225 million in new public programs and $45 million in tax credits directed toward biotechnology and life science research and commercialization. Industry and federal funding is expected to match the state's investment, which would be allocated as follows:

The second proposal, outlined briefly by Governor George E. Pataki in his State of the State Address on Wednesday, calls for $283 million of state funding over the next five years for the further development of three university-based Centers of Excellence (Bioinformatics in Buffalo, Photonics & Optoelectronics in Rochester, and Nanoelectronics in Albany) and the creation of two new centers of excellence, in New York City for medical research, and on Long Island for software development and information technology.

The Governor's plan was developed to provide resources to translate innovations developed through NYSTAR's current $102.5 million Strategically Targeted Academic Research investments into new products, businesses and jobs. The proposal also would support the construction of technology-related incubators.

Governor Pataki anticipates the state's $283 million investment would be leveraged 3:1 by industry and federal funding. More information on Governor Pataki's proposal can be found at: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/jan03_3_01.htm

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South Dakota Creates Technology Council; Proposes Scholarships
In December, Governor Bill Janklow created the South Dakota Math, Science and Technology Council to encourage more interest in math, science, and technology at all levels of education. The council's duties include: identifying major opportunities for coordinating math, science, technology and research efforts; promoting coordination of public and private initiatives in those areas; pursuing federal and private funding; and, identifying ways to create jobs in South Dakota in those areas.

Representation on the council is drawn from South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the state Board of Regents, the state department of economic development, state legislators, and business representatives. The 12 members were appointed by the Governor.

Many states have established S&T councils to spearhead strategic planning or policy development for tech-based economic development (recent Digest articles on other state's councils are listed in the 2000 index: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Indices/2000index.htm#COUNCILS [expired]). South Dakota provides one of the first variations to tie math, science and technology education directly to state economic development activities.

In a related announcement, Governor Janklow proposed creation of a new multimillion dollar scholarship program as the cornerstone of his 2002 state budget. The Regents Scholarship program would reward high school students who successfully complete a more rigorous curriculum of advanced math, laboratory science, foreign language, fine arts, computer skills, English, and social studies.

School districts in turn would need to offer the courses so their students could be eligible for the scholarships. The scholarships could be used to pay for college, technical school or other post-secondary education. The long-range goal is to prepare more young South Dakotans for higher-paying technology-related positions.

The scholarships would be funded annually from South Dakota's share of the national tobacco settlement. The scholarship would be $1,500 the first year; $2,000 the second year; $2,500 the third year; and, $3,000 the fourth year. Students would need to maintain a 3.0 grade point average and pledge to not use tobacco to remain eligible.

More information is available at: 
http://www.state.sd.us/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewAgencyDocs&AgencyID=23

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NASA Announces SBIR Selections for 2000
NASA has selected 280 research proposals across 37 states for negotiation of Phase I contract awards for its 2000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The total value of the awards is expected to be more than $19 million, $1 million less than a year ago. The space agency made 290 awards in the 1999 solicitation cycle.

For the 2000 competition, NASA received 1,847 proposals, 413 fewer than 1999, from small, high-technology businesses located throughout the United States.

The selected firms will be awarded fixed-price contracts worth up to $70,000 to perform a six-month Phase I feasibility study. Companies which successfully complete the Phase I activities are eligible to compete for Phase II selection the following year. NASA Phase II awards allow for a two-year, fixed-price contract of up to $600,000.

The accompanying table presents the distribution of proposals, awards, and firms by state. A list of companies selected for the program can be found at http://sbir.nasa.gov

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Erie Receives $30 Million for ED Center
An increasingly recognized and critical component of building a tech-based economy is the integration of university or college research and training capabilities into the local economic development strategy. While considerable attention is paid to the regional impact of large research institutions, not every community is home to an MIT, University of Texas, or Stanford.

Cities like Erie, Pennsylvania, – home to several small institutions of higher learning – are providing useful examples of alternative approaches for businesses and the community to benefit from the intellectual resources and talent available through area colleges and universities.

Ten years of planning and cooperation among Erie’s business, community and academic leaders, in partnership with the state, resulted in the proposal for a Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) at Penn State Erie to serve as a hub for regional economic development. Last week, Governor Tom Ridge delivered $30 million -- the largest-ever state capital investment in Erie County history -- to construct the REDC.

By integrating business and engineering research and economic development activities, the 160,000 square-foot facility is expected to be an economic catalyst for the community. Located adjacent to the university-related research park known as Knowledge Park, REDC will serve existing and future park tenants as well as other area high-tech companies.

The Center will:

More information is available at: http://www.pserie.psu.edu/

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Tech-Talkin’ Governors: The State of the State and Budget Addresses
Editor’s Note: During the next few weeks, nearly every Governor will present a State of the State and/or budget address outlining new initiatives or priorities for the upcoming year. In the past, SSTI has compiled excerpts relevant to tech-based economic development for publication. This year we will highlight significant proposals in the SSTI Weekly Digest and provide links to the actual speech, related background, press releases, etc. Large or innovative developments will be given separate attention in the Digest.

Addresses and budget items of note for tech-based economic development so far:

Alaska
Governor Tony Knowles, FY 2002 Governor’s Operating Budget Request, Dec. 15, 2000
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/2002site/Budget/DCED/2002_DCEDcover.html

Income from the science and technology endowment is anticipated to be $10.5 million for FY 2002, down $1 million from the FY 2001 authorization. As a result, the Governor is requesting $10 million for the Alaska Science & Technology Foundation, $1 million less than FY `01. Legislative earmarks and previous obligations leave a balance for grants of only $5 million for FY `02, compared to $8-9 million in FY `01.

Georgia
Governor Roy E. Barnes, Remarks on the FY2001 Supplemental Budget request, January 3, 2001
– new funding recommendations 
http://www.ganet.org/governor/speech/press.cgi

Minnesota
Governor Jesse Ventura, State of the State Address, January 4, 2001
– new proposals
http://www.governor.state.mn.us/

New York
Governor George E. Pataki, State-of-the-State Address, January 3, 2001
– new proposals
http://www.state.ny.us/sos2001text.html

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Recent NSF Reports and Statistics
During the past few weeks, the National Science Foundation has released more than a dozen reports, issue briefs, and early release statistical tables of potential interest to the S&T community. Due to limited space in this week's Digest, we are offering brief descriptions and links for more information.

Federal Funds for Research and Development: Detailed Historical Tables: Fiscal Years 1951-2000 [nsf01308]
-- Table 57 presents federal obligations to intramural performers by state: 1970-1998
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01308

Research and Development in Industry: 1998 [nsf01305]
-- Table A-38 presents industrial R&D performance by state for selected years 1979-1998
-- Table A-39 presents industrial R&D performance by state and source of funds for 1998
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01305

Science & Engineering Doctoral Awards: 1999 (Early Release Tables) [srs01405]
-- Table 6 presents institutions conferring science and engineering doctorates by state, institution and major field
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?srs01405

National Patterns of R&D Resources: 2000 Data Update [nsf01309]
Table 6 State expenditures for R&D, by performing sector and sources of funding: 1987-98
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01309

Academic Research and Development Expenditures: Fiscal Year 1999 (Early Release Tables) [srs01407]
-- B-22 R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division, State, and source of funds: fiscal year 1999
-- B-23 R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-24 Federally financed R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-25 State and local government-financed R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-26 Industry-financed R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-27 Institutionally financed R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-28 All other sources of financed R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-1999
-- B-29 R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by State, control, and source of funds: fiscal year 1999
-- B-30 R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by geographic division, State, and science and engineering field: fiscal year 1999
-- B-31 R&D expenditures at doctorate-granting institutions, by State, control, and science and engineering field: fiscal year 1999
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?srs01407

Federal Funds for Research and Development: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: Fiscal Years 1973-2000 [nsf01307]
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01307

Federal Funds for Research and Development: Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: Fiscal Years 1951-2000 [nsf01306]
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01306

Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 (Early Release Tables) [srs01408]
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?srs01408

Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States: 1999 (Early Release Tables) [srs01406]
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?srs01406

Characteristics of Recent Science and Engineering Graduates: 1999 (Early Release Tables) [srs1404]
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?srs01404

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People

Jane Patterson leaves the North Carolina Governor's Office this week to become the Director of the Rural Internet Access Authority, a new state authority.

The NASVF Net News reports Alexa Heffernan has been named Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council. Myrt Levin retired in December.

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2001 S&T Calendar Filling Up
On the SSTI Calendar of Events webpage, we present brief descriptions and contact links for more than 100 regional or national conferences, meetings, and workshops planned for the coming year. The list ranges from workshops on how to secure federal technology funding for programs such as the Advanced Technology Program to venture capital forums to annual meetings for most of the associations involved with tech-based economic development.

Suggestions for additional events for inclusion should be directed to Mark Skinner at skinner@ssti.org

Please note: events should be intended for a regional, national or international audience.

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