SSTI Digest

To build 21st century workforces in key S&T sectors, several new public-private initiatives have been launched in South Carolina, New Jersey, Utah, and Montana. These initiatives are intended to better align the educational training of students with the needs of industries that each respective state has identified as a key industry cluster. Target industries include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, chemistry and plastics, and cyber security. South Carolina Earlier this month, in partnership with the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, the state announced the launch of the South Carolina Future Makers (SC Future Makers) workforce initiative. The initiative’s mission is to increase the skilled workforce pipeline entering advanced manufacturing and technical-related careers. Via a web-based portal, individuals can search for careers in the state’s 10 key industry clusters. The portal also provides information on apprenticeships, technical colleges, and four-year colleges to expose and connect South Carolina’s next generation to all of the state’s educational and career-development opportunities. In partnership…

The National Governors Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices launched the 2016 Policy Academy on Scaling Work-Based Learning – a pilot program in six states that blends work experience and applied learning to develop youth and young adults’ foundational and technical skills to expand their education, career and employment opportunities. The goal of the program is to connect 16- to 29-year-olds with middle-skills career opportunities in STEM-intensive industries such as advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology and energy. The six states that will take part in the 18-month pilot program include Indiana, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, and Washington.  Read the press release: http://www.nga.org/cms/home/news-room/news-releases/2015--news-releases/col2-content/states-look-to-increase-career.default.html. 

Over the past few months, SSTI has followed proposals issued by governors in their budget requests, State of the State Addresses, Inaugural Speeches and other events. Now that many state legislatures have begun approving budgets, the Digest will check on the status of these proposals, and examine the state of technology-based economic development funding in the states. This week, we review actions in Missouri and Montana. MissouriLate last week, Gov. Jay Nixon signed a $26 billion budget package, including $15.9 million for the core budget of the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) (HB 7). MTC funds the state's innovation centers and programs, as well as the Missouri Enterprise center. Another $2.5 million would be allocated through MTC for soybean and beef cattle industry research and commercialization. The final budget includes the $10 million proposed by Gov. Nixon for a public-private partnership supporting a clinic campus in Springfield, linked to the University of Missouri in Columbia. MontanaGov. Steve Bullock signed the state's $10 billion FY 2016-17 biennial budget (HB 2) last week. Over the two years of the budget, $15…

SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series has returned as governors across the country formally convene the 2015 legislative sessions. The series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from governors' State of the State, Budget and Inaugural addresses. The fourth installment of this year’s series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Hawaii and Montana. Read the first, second  and third installments of this year’s series. HawaiiGov. David Y. Ige, State of the State, Jan. 26, 2014“…We need to nurture an “innovation economy,” in which entrepreneurs use technology to develop new processes and products from existing ones, like smart phone makers who have taken their products far beyond the original concept of a mobile phone and created entire new markets. “It’s a whole new economic paradigm which we need to support with modern infrastructure, whether it’s expanding our broadband network or building innovation parks. That’s why we are providing $10 million for the HI Growth initiative to support innovation.” MontanaGov. Steve Bullock, The State of Our…

Incumbent governors in Colorado and Montana released their budget proposals this month, with both of the proposed budgets including provisions that prioritize infrastructure spending, workforce development programs, and education. Infrastructure and capital projects in particular were popular among the proposed budgets, with Colorado’s budget allocating $281.6 million to improve technology infrastructure and Montana allocating $300 million for infrastructure, including $45 million to Eastern Montana communities impacted by oil and gas development. Notable provisions within the proposed budgets that are related to economic development are detailed below. Colorado Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper unveiled his proposed FY2015-16 budget prior to this month’s election with an emphasis on education, transportation funding, capital construction projects, and technology infrastructure. The budget reflects requests of $26.8 billion in total funds with $10.3 billion requested from the General Fund. Under the proposal, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, and Higher Education receive approximately 75 percent of all funds requested. Proposals within the…

Montana’s new business plan commissioned by Gov. Steve Bullock outlines five overarching themes, described as pillars, with specific goals, objectives and tasks for diversifying the state’s economy. Encouraging innovation and supporting emerging industries is the focus of one pillar, with recommendations for strengthening the role of universities, establishing funding streams for entrepreneurs, and developing a network of statewide business mentors. The Main Street Montana Project was lead by two top business leaders in the state to ensure private sector buy-in, according to the governor. The team convened seven roundtables in each of the state’s five geographic locations and tribal communities to gather information about challenges and opportunities facing businesses and workers. Participants included representatives from business, labor, education, local government, nonprofit, and other interest groups. They also visited surrounding states to look at best practices and analyze Montana’s regional competitiveness. In general, Montanans recognized the importance of their quality of life, but wanted the economy to become more diversified with…

The fourth installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Texas. Our first three installments were in the Jan. 9, Jan. 16 and Jan. 23 issues of the Digest. MarylandGov. Martin O'Malley, State of the State Address, Jan. 30, 2013“Creating jobs through innovation is not just the responsibility of the private sector. There are things we can do together ”“ through the common platform of our government ”“ to accelerate innovation and improve the business climate ... expanding our successful job creation tax credits for biotech, and research and development. And, by creating a new cyber security tax credit. ... “... Your vote on the EARN bill, will allow us to partner with business to equip more of our workers with the skills they need to fill the jobs that are in highest demand.” MissouriGov. Jay Nixon, State of the State Address, Jan. 28, 2013“Two years ago, I convened a summit to lay out my agenda for higher education. I challenged the leaders of all our public two- and four-…

Gov. Lincoln Chafee has nominated Deputy Director William Parsons to lead the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. Gov. Rick Perry has appointed J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. as president and chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corp. Gov.-elect Steve Bullock tapped Meg O'Leary to be the Montana Commerce Department director. Thomas McDonnell, a Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation trustee since 2003 and board chairman since 2006, has been elected CEO of the foundation. Blake Perry has been appointed as the interim president of the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority. Charlie Moret has joined TechTown as managing director, entrepreneurial programs. Previously, he served as managing director of business development at Connecticut Innovations Inc. David Oliver, professor of genetics, development and cell biology, and associate dean of the Iowa State College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named interim vice president of research and economic development, effective January 1, 2013.

On November 6, in addition to the presidential election, eleven state and two territorial gubernatorial contests will be decided. Seven of these races (Delaware, Missouri, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia) include a sitting governor running for re-election, while the remaining six (American Samoa, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Washington) are open races. Of the races involving incumbents, four are a Democratic governors being challenged, while three sitting Republican governors are up for re-election — two of them for a full term after completing the terms of the previous governors who left for other positions. Five of the open races are a contest for a seat being vacated by a Democrat, while only one is currently held by a Republican. SSTI took a look at the TBED platforms of the candidates for governor. Delaware Jack Markell (D)Gov. Jack Markell has pursued a multi-pronged approach to economic development that includes providing small businesses access to credit, creating tax incentives for businesses to hire Delawareans, expanding the research and job training facilities at the…

Tom Walker is departing i2E to join TechColumbus as CEO. Walker, a founding member of i2E, has served the private nonprofit for 14 years. Walker replaces Tim Haynes, who has been serving as interim CEO. Mark Herzog will step down as executive director of the Virginia Biotechnology Association on June 1. Herzog will serve as senior vice president for corporate and government affairs at Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a Richmond-based company that conducts clinical tests. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant named Brent Christensen executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. For the past 10 years, he has served as president and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce in Florida. James Grunke has been named the president and CEO of the Missoula Economic Partnership. Grunke has been the interim director for the past six months. Steve VanNurden has been named president and CEO of Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, beginning in late May. VanNurden currently is chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures.

Finding new and creative ways for high-tech companies to succeed is an important component in business incubation. A recent study examining best practices for supporting new company formation finds it is the synergy among multiple practices, policies and services that produces optimal outcomes. At the same time, collecting standardized measures, reporting on progress annually, conducting external independent evaluations, tracking programs, and continuing to enhance practices are singled out as important policy implications. Over the past few months, several new incubator models have emerged — including a concept for a hybrid-accelerator and a startup incubator that floats. Select announcements are included below. Baltimore's Emerging Technology Center (ETC), an established incubator for high-tech firms, will launch its own accelerator program, called Accelerate Baltimore, with seed funding from the Abell Foundation. Funding will support five companies with physical space and counsel from an advisory team assembled to help companies through product development and launch. In return, ETC and Abell will take an 8 percent equity stake and a royalty of 2.5 percent,…

The Idaho Department of Commerce has named Gynii Gilliam as its new chief economic development officer. Gilliam brings more than 20 years of experience to the position. Most recently, she served as executive director of Bannock Development Corporation. David Kerr, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, will step down from the position Dec. 31. Tim McLaughlin and Bob Merritt have been selected for leadership positions within the Delaware Economic Development Office. McLaughlin, formerly with the Delaware State Housing Authority, is taking over as director of business development, overseeing DEDO's recruitment efforts. Merritt, who was vice president of the First National Bank of Wyoming's loan department, joins DEDO as capital resources director, overseeing management of Delaware's Strategic Fund. TechColumbus has appointed Tim Haynes, vice president for membership and marketing, as interim CEO beginning Jan. 1. Previously, Ted Ford, who spent six years as the organization's CEO, announced his plans to leave the post at the end of this year. Joe Reagan, the president of Greater Louisville Inc. has been hired to…