In This Week's Issue
SSTI News and Analysis
FCC Releases National
Broadband Plan
On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a national plan
to expand broadband access and competition over the next decade. The plan calls
for the establishment of new competition policies, ensuring the efficient
allocation of spectrum and physical infrastructure, incentives and subsidies to
expand access, and support for state and local initiatives. It also sets the
ambitious goal of providing 100 million U.S. homes with affordable access to
download speeds of 100 megabits per second (mbps), up from the current average
of 2-3 mbps. The plan, which was mandated by the 2009 Recovery Act, is intended to improve the state of U.S. broadband, which
continues to rank in the middle of the pack among OECD countries in terms of
access, speed and affordability.
Over the past year, the FCC has been collecting input to help craft a long-term
strategy for U.S. broadband. The resulting plan emphasizes the need for greater
competition among service providers. In order to promote competition the agency will publish
market-by-market information on broadband pricing and competition. The FCC will
make use of the broadband mapping efforts supported by Recovery Act funds and
will develop new ways of tracking the extent and quality of service. New
disclosure requirements will require providers to be more transparent so that
consumers can make informed decisions based on actual data transfer
speeds.
The FCC also plans to make
500 megahertz of spectrum available for broadband over the next ten years. Of
that spectrum, 300 megahertz would be available for mobile use within five
years. Currently, the FCC only has 50 megahertz at its disposal. By freeing up
additional spectrum, the FCC says it would be able to spur innovative uses of wireless
technologies and create new revenue from spectrum auctions.
A new Connect America Fund would replace the existing Universal Service Fund.
The change would shift the focus from expanding networks to ensuring adequate
speeds and affordable service in underserved areas. To promote 3G and 4G wireless
coverage, a new FCC Mobility Fund would provide targeted funding to states to
improve wireless infrastructure. The plan also recommends subsidies to help
low-income Americans get online by expanding the Lifeline and Link-Up programs
at FCC.
To spur use, innovation
and investment by the private sector, the plan includes several recommendations
targeted toward specific industries. The FCC plans to revamp its Rural Health
Care program to ensure that rural providers have access to affordable high-speed
services. To accelerate the development of educational technologies, the plan
recommends upgrading the FCC's E-Rate program to help foster wireless
technologies that can be used in learning devices. The broadband plan also
calls for the integration of broadband assessment into state and local economic
development efforts.
Additional, long-term
goals in the plan include:
- 100 million U.S. homes with 100
mbps actual download speeds and 50 mbps actual upload speeds;
- building the fastest and most
extensive wireless networks in the world;
- ensuring that every American has
the means and skill to subscribe to broadband services;
- making connections of 1 gigabit
per second or higher available in every community through institutions such as
schools, hospitals and government buildings;
- providing all American first
responders access to a nationwide, wireless, interoperable broadband public
safety network; and,
- allowing all Americans to track
and manage their real-time energy consumption.
About half of the Plan's recommendations are addressed to the FCC, while the remainder are for
Congress, the Executive Branch, and state and local government. Now that the plan has been transmitted to Congress, the FCC Omnibus Broadband Initiative team, which developed the plan, will begin implementation within the FCC and commence working with other agencies.
Read the complete plan
at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296935A1.pdf.
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$34.3M in FY11 Projected
Spending for USTAR
At the close of the Utah legislative session on March 11,
lawmakers followed Gov. Gary Herbert's recommendation to reduce the Utah
Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) FY10 budget by $5.1 million,
from $31.9 million to $26.8 million. For FY11, USTAR is budgeted to spend $34.3
million. This represents a combination of state and ARRA funding. USTAR
invests in world-class innovation teams and research facilities at the
University of Utah and Utah State University with a long-term goal of
strengthening the state's knowledge economy. Higher education will receive a
reduction of approximately 5 percent in the approved budget, according to the
governor's office. The FY11 base budget is available at: http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0001.htm. The
FY2010-11 supplemental appropriations bill is available at: http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0002.htm.
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IL Gov Calls for Expansion of
Jobs Plan to Include Green Economy Initiatives
Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled last week the FY11 capital budget
outlining the state's progress on the $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now plan enacted
last year by the legislature (see the July 29, 2009 Digest).
The governor is seeking an expansion of the program, which includes new
appropriations for green economy initiatives within the Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
The Jobs Now plan provides funding for infrastructure,
economic development, schools, and transportation and is financed by a
combination of state debt and federal and local matching funds. To support
renewable and energy efficiency businesses and component manufactures, the
governor recommends a new appropriation of $30 million to DCEO for Green
Business Development. Projects that develop and expand the renewable energy
sector and corresponding supply chain that produce energy efficient products
are being targeted, according to budget documents. DCEO also would receive
funds for the following initiatives:
- $40 million to develop Illinois-based Smart Grid projects
such as communication technologies, testing equipment and facilities;
- $20 million for renewable energy grants used to develop
hydroelectric power, wind power and ethanol production facilities; and,
- $5 million for agriculture technology development.
Gov. Quinn also outlined a $55.1 billion total operating
budget for FY11 that addresses a $13 billion deficit for FY10-11. The budget
proposal includes $2 billion in proposed cuts and recommends an income tax
increase from 3 percent to 4 percent. Funding generated by this increase would
be used to restore deep cuts to education proposed in the budget, according to
the governor's office.
To stimulate job growth by small businesses, the governor
proposed a tax credit capped at $50 million for companies with 50 or fewer
employees. Businesses creating green jobs, technology firms and manufacturers,
among others, could receive a $2,500 tax credit for each full-time job created
over the next year.
The FY11 operating budget is available at: http://www.state.il.us/budget/FY2011/FY2011_Operating_Budget.pdf.
The capital budget is available at: http://www.state.il.us/budget/FY2011/FY2011_Capital_Budget.pdf.
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States Seek To Increase Renewable
Portfolio Standards
Adding to a growing number of states seeking to increase their
percentage of power from renewable sources, Gov. Jack Markell last week
introduced the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act. A key component of the
legislation is increasing the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which
governors often say generates job growth.
The overarching goal of the Delaware bill is to create a
competitive climate for the clean energy market, which is addressed under four
main goals, including:
- Setting a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for
the state to receive 30 percent of its energy supplies from renewable
sources by 2029 (up from 20 percent);
- Facilitating job creation through modifications to
the existing RPS and expanding local manufacturing to establish Delaware
as a national leader in the adoption of renewable energy;
- Driving local economic development by creating a
new "local generation" component to the RPS and incentives for the use of
systems manufactured in Delaware through enhanced renewable energy credit
values; and,
- Modernizing the Green Energy Fund by establishing a
market-based method for financing renewable energy projects.
A fact sheet outlining the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act is
available at: http://governor.delaware.gov/docs/clean-energy-jobs-act-summary.pdf.
As of May 2009, 24 states and the District of Columbia had
RPS policies in place and five states with nonbinding goals for the adoption of
renewable energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A map and chart
summarizing state Renewable Portfolio Standards is available
here. A December 2009 survey by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change is
available here.
Additional state actions to increase RPS are highlighted below.
Colorado
Lawmakers approved last week a measure
to increase Colorado's RPS to 30 percent by 2020. This is up from the current
standard of 20 percent by 2020. Gov. Bill Ritter called for passage of the legislation
during his State of the State address earlier this year, citing the creation of
thousands of new jobs as a result of larger markets for solar, wind, biomass,
hydro and geothermal energies.
California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order in September
directing the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations increasing
California's RPS to 33 percent by 2020, first established by the governor's
directive in November 2008. This was an increase from the previous standard of
25 percent by 2020.
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North Carolina Selects Credit Suisse to Manage $230
Million Innovation Fund
North Carolina State Treasurer Janet Cowell has announced credit services
group Credit Suisse will serve as manager of the state's new $230 million
innovation fund. The fund, drawn from public pension dollars, will invest in
North Carolina-based technology businesses over the next five years. Though
full investment guidelines have not yet been developed, investments will be
aimed towards high-growth industries, including life sciences, clean energy and
other high-tech industries. Read the announcement at: http://www.nctreasurer.com/News/Files/3152010_4123_TREASURER%20COWELL%20ANNOUNCES%20NC%20INNOVATION%20FUND%20FINAL.pdf.
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Milwaukee Leads Peers in Skilled Workers, Not in Startups Says
Report
Milwaukee's Public Policy Forum finds that the city has a
stronger lean manufacturing/high-tech workforce than many of its peer cities,
but still faces challenges in new high-tech business starts and patent
generation. The study used benchmarks from six other metropolitan areas,
including Austin, Kansas City, Portland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and
Minneapolis. The report recommends new efforts to improve patent activity,
resident educational attainment and number of SBIR awards. Read the full report
at: http://www.publicpolicyforum.org/pdfs/InnovationIndex.pdf.
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National Award-Winning TBED Initiative Featured in SSTI Interview
SSTI's interview with Peggy Shults of the James and Esther King Biomedical Research program, 2009 recipient of the Excellence in TBED Award in the category Expanding the Research Infrastructure, provides an honest, in-depth account of best practices and lessons learned that earned this program national recognition. Click here to listen to the interview and learn more about the program.
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Excellence in TBED 2010
Dates Announced
2010 could be your organization's year to capture national
recognition for excellence in technology-based economic development. SSTI will
solicit nominations for the 2010 Excellence in TBED Awards beginning April 6 with
an open call for applications. Awards are presented to organizations
demonstrating successful local, state and regional efforts across six
categories. For more information and a list of previous winners, please visit: http://www.ssti.org/Awards/index.shtml.
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TBED People and Job Opportunities
Job Corner
Arizona Center for
Innovation is currently seeking an experienced candidate to
fill the position of director. The director is responsible
for the daily operations of the incubator that include:
administration, budgeting, financial management, fundraising,
client recruitment and services, marketing and outreach
activities.
Read more job postings
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Staff Picks
$125M for Community-based Job Training Grants Available
To support workforce training for high-growth and
high-demand industries, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability
of $125 million for competitive grants to community, technical and tribal
colleges.
Read
more ...
This is one of 45 funding opportunities featured in this week's Funding Supplement, which is provided only to SSTI members. Request your complimentary copy today.
Christian Science Monitor: How America Can Create Jobs
The Christian Science Monitor takes a look at how
encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship could lead the economic recovery. A
good overview of the issues with examples from around the country, the article
may be helpful as an educational tool with legislators.
Read more...
SUNY Report Says Universities Important to Economic
Development
This report
provides several anecdotal examples of how universities and community colleges
have been supporting regional economic development for decades.
Kansas State Sets Goal to Become a Top 50 Public
University
Illustrating the importance of higher education in
supporting economic growth, K-State
announced plans to move into the position of a top 50 public university for
research by 2025. The university will have to move up at least 35 spots in 15
years to accomplish the goal.
Soccer Playing Robots Hit University of Utah Campus
The University
of Utah will host a three-day competition in which robots play a "soccer-like"
game as part of a regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology) robotics competition. More than 1,000 high school students are
expected to participate.
Where's George? Video Tracks the Dollar Bill
This video
tracking how people spend money - and therefore how money moves around the
country - won first place in the 2009 International Science and Engineering
Visualization Challenge.
Other Picks
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