In the August 30, 2004 Issue:

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2004. 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.

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White House Issues Updated Research Priorities for 2006 Budget
With most of the 2005 budget a likely victim of Congressional inertia as the Oct. 1 fiscal year start date approaches, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget have set the 2006 process in motion by issuing a joint memorandum outlining the Administration's research priorities, should it be re-elected in November.

Homeland Security R&D remains the Administration's top research focus with space provided in the memo to single out several priorities areas:

Five additional broad research priority categories were identified in the memo as well, although receiving less specific treatment. "Networking and Information Technology R&D" moved up to the second-highest priority compared to last year, trading places with the National Nanotechnology Initiative. Supercomputing and cyberinfrastructure R&D are identified as the highest priorities within the administration's Networking and Information Technology R&D program.

The nanotech discussion is colored with phrasing that highlights growing caution for the emerging field. "In order to ensure that nanotechnology research leads to the responsible development of beneficial applications, agencies also should support research on the various societal implications of the nascent technology. In particular, agencies should place a high priority on research on human health and environmental issues related to nanotechnology and develop, where applicable, cross-agency approaches to the funding and execution of this research."

A new emphasis area titled "Priorities of the Physical Sciences" suggests "Priority will be given to research that aims to close significant gaps in the fundamental physical understanding of phenomena that promise significant new technologies with broad societal impact....Priority will be given to those instrument- or facility- related investments with the greatest promise for the broadest scientific impact. Of particular interest are investments leading to the development of next-generation light sources."

"Biology of Complex Systems" and, "Climate, Water and Hydrogen Research" round out the list. Perhaps reflecting their lower emphasis within the Administration's research agenda, neither description provides significant insight into particular research priorities or thrusts.

The memo is available at: http://www.ostp.gov/html/m04-23.pdf

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Useful Stats: Industry's Share of Academic R&D 2000-2002, by State
For many states, increasing industrial research and development (R&D) within the state's academic research institutions is a priority. Some state tech-based economic development agencies offer financial assistance, such as matching grants to foster greater university-industry research collaboration. Some offer tax credits to companies for research expenditures within the state higher education community.

In most cases, industrially supported R&D will be for advanced research that most likely is closer to commercialization or supports technologies already in production.

In 2002, the top states for total industrial R&D expenditures at public and private institutions of higher education were California, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, and Florida. Nearly all of these schools also are in the top 10 or so rankings for total academic R&D expenditures.

The states with the greatest share of their total 2002 academic R&D portfolio funded by industrial sources reveals a somewhat different list: Alaska ranks first with 18.62 percent, followed by: North Carolina (12.20%), Georgia (8.92%), Massachusetts (8.67%), Pennsylvania (8.30%), Idaho (8.00%), Vermont (7.95%), Nebraska (7.91%), Virginia (7.44%), and Iowa (7.30%).

While there is significant variation in which states hold the top ten spots for industrial share of academic R&D (five other states held spots on top ten list in 2001 or 2000 to those listed above), the U.S. average has steadily fallen each year. The industrial share of total US academic research was 7.25 percent in 2000, dropping to 6.82 percent in 2001 and registering only 6.02 percent of the total in 2002.

To aid states in seeing trends in their industrial R&D support at academic institutions, SSTI has prepared a table presenting data from the National Science Foundation annual surveys of academic R&D for the most recent three years for which data are available, 2000-2002: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/083004t.htm

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Incubators in the News

New York City Launches Second Biotech Incubator
Companies wanting to commercialize new technologies can now bring their companies to Brooklyn, with the June opening of a new technology incubator located near Downstate University's biochemistry department. The Advanced Biotechnology Incubator will eventually house up to 30 companies, according to Eva Brown Cramer, vice president for biotechnology and scientific affairs at Downstate. The $12 million incubator, funded by both government and private sources, is a first for Brooklyn and second to be opened in New York City. The first was opened in 1995 at Columbia University, according to the Daily News.

Colorado Incubator Merges With Venture Company, Becomes CTEK
In a continuing effort to expand its services throughout the state, the Colorado Technology Incubator, a community-based business catalyst, has merged with Colorado Venture Centers, changing its name to CTEK, the Daily Camera reports. According to Vice President of CTEK, Mike Murphy, part of tacking on ventures to its name means several venture centers and plans for a new corporate office to launch such new community centers are underway.

West Virginia Technology Center Expected To Spur Economic Growth
A grass roots technology and entrepreneurial center is expected to open at Concord College in southern West Virginia in 2006. The $13.9 million Technology Center promises to enable technology transfer, entrepreneurial support, technical currency, and business incubation, according to the Charleston Daily Mail. Up to eight small businesses will be housed in the center that hopes to create 130 jobs and bring $60.8 million into the economy by 2009. The college is still seeking $5.7 million to complete the project and expects to receive $5 million from the West Virginia Economic Development grant and other funds.

$3 Million Clean Ohio Fund Grant Provides for Cleveland Technology Center
MidTown Cleveland, Inc. received a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization grant in 2002 to purchase the former Ohio Knitting Mills building, and recently announced it will use the facility as an anchor to develop the surrounding neighborhood into the MidTown Technology Center, according to the governor’s press office. The old knitting mill will be transformed into a 72,000 square foot incubator for biotechnology, medical research, and computer software companies among others and is scheduled to open early next year. Once completed, the center expects to provide affordable and flexible space to meet the needs of growing technology companies, and will play an important role in the revitalization of the MidTown area.

Innovation Center Reaching Its Capacity, Plans To Expand (IN)
Innovation Center of Northeast Indiana announced its plans in May to lease an additional 10,000 square feet to accommodate for up to 10 new high-tech businesses. Officials said the incubator is more than 90 percent filled and has doubled in size since opening in 2001, The Fort Wayne News Sentinel reports.

Four Incubators Under Construction for Olmulgee campus of Oklahoma State U.
Four incubators will have a home in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma at the new Enterprise Center, an onsite business incubator aimed at assisting small start-up companies, according to MidAmerica. The state's largest industrial park will build and develop the OSU Okmulgee/MidAmerica Innovation & Entrepreneurial Center, which will be built as an addition to the current facility constructed by MidAmerica that functions as a continuing workforce development training operation. The MidAmerica Board of Trustees voted in May to fund administration of the facility for three years. Each of the four incubators will have 2,000 to 2,200 square feet of space, and construction of the building is scheduled to begin this fall with building completion expected six months after construction begins.

San Jose Opens Fourth Incubator
The city of San Jose anticipates thousands of jobs, millions of dollars in new capital, and the creation of successful new businesses as a result of its newest incubator, which opened in early July, said Harry Mavrogenes, interim executive director of the San Jose Redevelopment Agency. The San Jose Bioscience Incubator and Innovation Center is the fourth of its kind for the city, and will be operated by the San Jose State University Foundation. The city of San Jose and private developer Mission West Properties provided funding for the $6.5 million center that will house 15-20 bioscience and medical technology start-up companies.

Cutting Edge Architecture Planned for Lafayette Technology Center (LA)
Design plans for the new Acadiana Technology Immersion Center at UL Lafayette’s Research Park were unveiled in May. Backers of the $18 million center tout it as a future hub for high-tech businesses in the state, the Daily Advertiser reports. Landscaping and building designs promise to be as cutting edge as the technology inside its walls, said Sandy Kaplan, chairman of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. Inside will house a “cave” or a six-sided enclosure used to view three-dimensional data visualizations, similar to virtual technology. The outside of the building will feature a reflection pool underneath and overhanging auditorium, Kaplan said.

NASA Contributing to Syracuse Technology Garden
Scheduled for completion in October, the Syracuse Technology Garden will house 23 start-up companies in computer, biotechnology, environmental, and other technology fields, reports SuccessSyracuse, a publication from the Syracuse Economic Growth Council. NASA helped to fund the project, giving the technology garden an automatic partnership with other NASA incubators throughout the U.S., allowing the technology garden access to utilize NASA’s resources, information, education, contacts and capital. The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce will oversee the $3 million incubator in central New York.

RENEW NY Hopes To Raise Awareness of Renewable Energy Companies
The Renewable Energy Network of Entrepreneurs in Western New York (RENEW NY) was announced last month as a collaborative effort focused on identifying, incubating and creating renewable energy companies in Western New York. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $150,000 for funding toward the project, along with additional contributions from High Tech Rochester, Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), Rochester Institute of Technology, and Ennovasion Group. According to GRE, RENEW NY will create a catalogue of renewable energy companies and resources in the region and establish an inventory of all the clean-energy intellectual property in the area. Other functions of the incubator include matching entrepreneurs with seed capital, grant assistance, coaching and mentoring, education and training, networking opportunities, and raising overall awareness of renewable energy companies in the region.

Business-Technology Incubator to Fill Columbus Department Store (OH)
The Columbus Center for the Arts and Sciences will fill the vacated Lazarus building in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State University (OSU), Battelle, and the city will help transform the building, which officials hope will help revitalize the RiverSouth District, The Columbus Dispatch reports. Plans for the center include a business-technology incubator and research and development space for applied science. According to the article, OSU and Battelle will collaborate on research involving energy, the environment, and climate change. Funding is expected to come from federal, state and private sources.

Columbia (SC) Incubator’s Move To City Building Allows For Rent-Free Occupation
Columbia City Council approved the proposal set forth by Mayor Bob Coble to move USC Columbia’s Technology Incubator to a city-owned building, allowing the incubator to operate rent-free for seven years. Mayor Coble said allowing the move into the abandoned building helps the incubator further the city’s goal of creating jobs. According to an article in The State, since its creation in 1999, the incubator has graduated 10 companies, nine of which are still operating in Columbia, and has generated 250 jobs.

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Maximizing Your Professional Development Dollars
Travel and training dollars are limited for most tech-based economic development programs. For many states, these are the first budget items frozen in a cutback. As a result, you need to get the most bang for each dollar spent on professional development for each staff member.

Fortunately, SSTI thinks this way too when planning its annual conference, Building Tech-based Economies: Preparing for Tomorrow's Challenges. In addition to 30 top-of-the-line breakout sessions during the main conference -- a full slate for your full staff -- we are offering three intensive pre-conference workshops and a behind-the-scenes tour to use your limited training dollars to their fullest potential.

Each pre-conference offering could stand on its own as a great learning opportunity on issues critical to successful technology-based economic development. Couple any one of them with SSTI's 8th annual conference and you have the nation's most complete one-stop professional development experience!

This year's pre-conference offerings are:

Registration for the full conference is not mandatory to participate in one of the preconference workshops/tour, but individuals registering for both the annual conference and a workshop receive a $50 discount on their preconference selection (tour excluded from this special offer.)

More information on the full event, to be held in Philadelphia on Oct. 13-15, is available at: http://www.ssti.org/conference04.htm [expired]

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ASME Seeks Project Manager
ASME is seeking a Project Manager responsible for the research, planning, launch and growth of strategic initiatives in the areas of industry relations/corporate services and young engineers. The individual will play a key role in the project management of strategic initiatives to help meet the priority objectives of the ASME Board of Governors. Responsibilities will include business development and business planning; project management, including developing systems and processes necessary for the tracking and execution of strategic initiatives; management of project teams; and initiating, managing and maintaining relevant customer and outsourcing relationships. Qualifications include a Master's degree or equivalent (MBA preferred), and a minimum of five years relevant experience, association experience preferred. Please email, or fax resume which must include salary requirements to: email: meolal@asme.org Fax: 973.575.5484. A more complete position description can be found at the SSTI website at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm

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People

Former New Mexico Gov. Garrey Carruthers (1987-1990) has been named vice provost for economic development at New Mexico State University.

The Louisiana Emerging Technologies Center announced Arthur Cooper will serve as its first executive director.

South Carolina Research Authority president Larry Druffel has announced he will retire next year.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius named Howard Fricke to serve as secretary of the state's Commerce Department.

Don Hutchinson is the new director of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development for the city of New Orleans.

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell named Marie O'Brien to oversee the Connecticut Development Authority.

DC Tech, the Washington DC Technology Council, announced Penny Pickett will be the new president.

IEDC's legislative director, Toby Rittner, has been named executive director of the Council of Development Finance Agencies.

Jay Tieber is the new president of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds.

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