SSTI Digest

The  complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Penn State seeks a director for the newly formed Economic Engagement Initiatives unit in the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The director will work collaboratively with academic, outreach, research, and other centers and units to present a unified point of entry to resources in support of economic development. The director is expected to generate significant grant-funded initiatives to Penn State. Qualifications include a master's degree (PhD preferred) or equivalent, plus five years of work-related experience in economic and workforce development or related fields that include evidence of organizational leadership and supervisory roles.

Karl Fooks, a past managing director for J.P. Morgan & Co. in Asia, is the new president of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation. Fooks replaces John Chock who retired last year.

The U.S. Senate confirmed by unanimous consent President Barack Obama's nomination of Karen Gordon Mills as the 23rd Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The following overview is a synopsis of select recent announcements from research parks across the nation, including groundbreakings and development plans to support vibrant regional economies based on science, technology and innovation. 

In a period of tightening budgets, it is important for stakeholders to know that the investments they are making in tech-based economic development are yielding positive economic results - and returning revenue to the state. Recent impact assessments to examine comprehensive TBED programs in three states show how smart these investments have been. More telling, different evaluation models were used in all three states and they each reached similar conclusions: strategic TBED investments can stimulate economic growth.

The fifth installment of the Tech Talkin' Govs series includes highlights from state of the state, budget and inaugural addresses from governors in Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Utah.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, State of the State Address, Feb. 3, 2009 "And let's make Alabama more competitive with other states for higher paying jobs. Our current incentives focus almost entirely on manufacturing, and Alabama will continue to be aggressive in the pursuit of those jobs. But in today's economy we need a more balanced approach. One that makes more industries eligible for our economic incentives: knowledge-based industries that typically pay higher wages like research and development facilities, corporate headquarters and other entrepreneurial ventures. .

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is seeking a manager of program analyst development (PAD). This management position is responsible for performing economic research, developing metrics and other ad hoc reporting, managing database and PAD Unit staff members, and providing support for execution of new program initiatives. The position also is responsible for monitoring and knowledge of new funding opportunities, and for economic development proposal generation. Requirements include a BS/BA, preferable MBA or Masters degree in a related field and a minimum of two years experience in small business lending, investment or other financially-related experience.

Southern Growth hired Ted Abernathy, Jr., former Executive Vice President & COO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, to serve as its Executive Director, filling the vacancy created by Jim Clinton's resignation in September.

The Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence has hired Ronald Bennett as executive director.

The City of Virginia Beach Economic Development Department has hired Scott Hall to fill their newly created position of Business Development Coordinator.

Four recipients selected as best practice models in technology-based economic development were honored during an awards ceremony last week in Cleveland during SSTI's 12th Annual Conference. The awards follow a national competition emphasizing impact and replicability in approaches to building and sustaining tech-based economies.

"A crucial component to growing the nation's economy is supporting programs that are successful in developing and implementing initiatives that create high-paying jobs and provide U.S. businesses with the tools they need to compete in the global economy," said Dan Berglund, SSTI President and CEO. "This year's award recipients have generated significant returns for local, state and regional economies, each having an impressive story to share." 

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is seeking someone to serve as the director of Heartland BioVentures (HBV). The position is responsible for working with HBV's leadership to develop and sustain a robust pipeline of fundable bioscience companies by implementing a technical and business assistance activity following consultative evaluation of investment opportunities.  The best candidates will have substantial business development experience, a proven record of success in a start-up environment and/or investment firm, and experience working in one or more facets of the bioscience industry.  Experience working with boards of directors and/or advisors is preferred as is experience in the bioscience sector.

Several bills from the 2008 legislative session were signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell during the past two weeks, including the fiscal year 2008-09 budget, providing enhancements to K-12 programs encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and a measure to significantly expand the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) tax incentive program.  

This afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell signed a $650 million package of tax incentives, loans and grants to spur the development and use of clean energy technologies within the state. The governor believes that the bill will help the state leverage as much as $3.5 billion in private investment and help the state build a stronger clean energy industry. Highlights from the Alternative Energy Investment Act include: $165 million for loans and grants that support alternative and renewable energy projects conducted by businesses and local governments; $100 million for loans, grants and rebates covering up to 35 percent of individual and small business costs incurred by installing solar energy systems;