Prominent State Leaders to Explore TBED Strategies in One-of-a-Kind Interactive Session

Against the backdrop of Northeast Ohio, a region transitioning to a high-tech economy through focused efforts in industry growth and R&D activity, three state economic development directors championing economic growth will provide SSTI conference attendees with answers to the all important question, Where do we go from here? in a highly interactive and future-looking session.
 
The economy is changing so are the challenges facing scientists, technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. To stay ahead, every element of a regional innovation support system must become smarter and more efficient. But how? Exploring the future look of TBED, this plenary conference session will address some of the biggest challenges facing the economic development field, including:

• How do we best integrate TBED with more traditional economic development approaches?
• With budgets tightening, what investments are most important to sustain for economic development efforts?
• How do cluster strategies and industrial recruitment fit into future economic development?
• Can workforce development, K-20 education and economic development be assimilated into a unified public policy strategy at the state level?
• How can TBED, economic development and state energy strategies be coordinated?

 Offering their unique perspectives are:

• Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development and leads the states efforts to retain, attract and create and grow Ohios economy;
• John Richardson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and former State Representative, responsible for coordinating and directing the states economic development offices; and
• Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development, Dennis Yablonsky, an accomplished and experienced veteran of managing and leading dynamic business growth over a 30 year career.

Moderating the session is Ned Hill, Vice President for Economic Development at Cleveland State University, whose work on city-state relations was released by the Fannie Mae Foundation in 2007 and in Urban Studies, and his joint work on the impact of doctoral programs in the bio-life sciences and engineering on regional development was published in Economic Development Quarterly in 2007.
 
Through instant polling and discussion with these accomplished leaders in a relaxed interview format, conference attendees are encouraged to be a part of this explorative session that kicks off the main conference, Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9:05 a.m.
 
For more information, please visit: http://www.ssticonference.org/