NGA Releases State TBED Guides

The National Governors' Association (NGA) released three guides at its annual meeting last week that are designed to help governors  to develop technology-based economic development strategies to improve states' global competitiveness. Prepared by the NGA Task Force on State Leadership in the Global Economy in partnership with the Council on Competitiveness, the papers present introductions to building state science and technology capacity, developing cluster-based economies, and creating a 21st-century workforce.

All three papers are available through http://www.nga.org

A Governor’s Guide to Building State Science and Technology Capacity

by Debra van Opstal, Michelle L. Lennihan, and Chad Evans of the Council on Competitiveness

The authors outline several recommendations in four key areas for technology-based economic development:

• Building on Core Cluster Strength: A “benchmarking group” should be established that can collect data of certain indicators, such as wage rates and R&D funding. With a collection of these indicators, states can use this information for a variety of activities to help identify strength and weaknesses within an economy.
• Investing in Specialized Research and Research Facilities: Develop strategic research programs based on core strengths and optimize existing and new research infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
• Creating Pools of Specialized Talent: Increase enrollment in science and technology disciplines and retain graduates, increase participation of women and minorities in science and engineering and recruit star faculty.
• Catalyzing knowledge transfer and technology commercialization: Encourage state universities to be mission-driven, establish incubators and centers that leverage public-private research, establish research zones and facilitate access to capital.

A Governor’s Guide to Cluster-Based Economic Development

by Stuart Rosenfeld of Regional Technology Strategies in Carrboro, NC

Perhaps most useful as a primer for those who are not familiar with clusters or as a digest of alternatives for implementing into policy, this guide presents the underlying concepts for economic development clusters, the benefits of having geographic concentrations of similar industries and businesses, and alternate approaches toward clustered-based economic development policy.

Four policy options are presented to states: organize service delivery, target investments, strengthen networking opportunities and develop human resources. Rosenfeld suggests the appropriate option depends on many factors concerning the cluster. The guide ends with a section dealing with the equity of economic development that entails ensuring all regions have an opportunity to benefit from a state's policies.

A Governor’s Guide to Creating a 21st - Century Workforce

by Evelyn Ganzglasss, Martin Simon, Christopher Mazzeo, and Kristin Conklin of the NGA Center for Best Practices

The authors argue that developing new workforce policies to address the shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. is critical to the success of the nation in the 21st century.

Challenges that states face when formulating workforce policies and programs are identified, and recommendations to help overcome skilled workforce shortages are made. Some of these recommendations include ideas that would better prepare trainable graduates who have strong foundational skills, enhancing workers' ability to manage their own career and improve opportunities for continuous learning, among others.