SSTI Digest

With an increased need to compete globally, the need for a highly educated workforce has taken center stage in a number of states. But with the continuing issue of college affordability, states are looking at new ways to increase the number of college graduates within their borders. In Arkansas and Ohio, recent examples of increasing college attendance are focused on efforts to expand scholarship opportunities for students. A legislatively charged task force in Arkansas recommends the state spend $95 million over the next six years to meet the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) average percentage of citizens holding a bachelor's degree. In Ohio, the state is awarding $8.5 million to colleges and nonprofit agencies with the goal of leveraging more than $90 million towards efforts to increase college participation. Details of the state plans are outlined below.  Arkansas A 15-member task force, created last year by the legislature, released its recommendations to increase the number of college graduates earlier this month. Making college more affordable through increased access to scholarships is at the center of the recommendations. In 2006, the…

Register today to be sure you receive this special rate. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, registration fees will increase by $100. Hosted by NorTech, the 2008 SSTI Annual Conference will be held at the beautiful InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center Cleveland, October 14-16. In a word, the SSTI Annual conference promises quality. For the first time, we will be offering four future-looking special sessions focused on the key TBED partners: industry, universities, service providers and government. Limited attendance further affords one the opportunity to engage in open, creative dialogue. Registration fees are kept reasonable so you can send your entire leadership team. All added up, SSTI's annual conference is the field's most stimulating and rewarding professional development investment of the year. The conference is where the latest TBED thinking and technology come alive. You won't want to miss being a part of the this year's most dynamic and influential gathering of tech-based economic development professionals. As an attendee, you have the chance to meet with the decisionmakers responsible for crafting and implementing local and state-level policies and…

This year, SSTI is providing conference attendees with the unique opportunity to take part in plenary and semi-plenary conference sessions through direct involvement and interaction with leaders in the TBED community – industry leaders, economic development directors, and university presidents to name a few. Drawing on the expertise and insights of four university leaders, SSTI will examine the challenges facing higher education. What we expect from our universities is rapidly changing – even if policymakers and politicians are not clearly stating what those expectations are. As states simultaneously fund ambitious centers of excellence while cutting core operating support, today’s environment for universities is entirely different from that of just 10 years ago. Aptly titled Universities’ Current and Future Role in Regional Innovation, this session seeks to answer the questions, where are we heading? Where should we be heading? And what does it mean for the TBED community and universities? Instant audience response and a casual interview format will allow participants to engage in forward thinking discussion on a wide array of topics…

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…

An upcoming report finds that Hawaiian high-tech industries contributed $3 billion to the state's economy in 2007. Preliminary data released to Pacific Business News by the Hawaii Science and Technology Council indicates that the state is home to almost 2,000 high-tech companies in ten sectors, including biotechnology, aerospace, energy and information technology. The complete report is due later this summer. Jobs at high-tech firms count for 3.6 percent of the state's total employment. These jobs provide an average annual salary of $69,000, 43 percent higher than the overall average personal income. Public and private tech companies combined created 4,158 new jobs between 2002 and 2007. Private Hawaiian high-tech companies grew at an average annual rate of 3.3 percent during that same period. A report late last year found that Hawaii's High Technology Business Investment Tax Credit has played a major role in encouraging development in the state (see the November 14, 2007 issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest). Forty-five percent of a sample of high-tech business owners said the controversial credit program played a "major influence" in their decision to…

One of the exciting half-day pre-conference sessions at this years SSTI Annual Conference in Cleveland, Oct. 14-16, is tailored to organizations looking to get in on the action of partnering with federal laboratories across the country. Some of the brightest brains from the leadership of the federal laboratory system and state TBED organizations with successful fed lab experience will be at the session to provide specialized help for those in attendance. All registrants will have the opportunity to describe their technological and commercialization needs in advance, which will be used to generate the sessions content. Included in the sessions itinerary will be: An overview of various federal laboratory programs and partnerships; Roundtable discussions on how to create productive relationships between TBED organizations and federal laboratories; A discussion of working with labs associated with different agencies; How to effectively utilize the federal laboratories Technology Locator Service; and, Personal specialized assistance from both state TBED and federal laboratory representatives. More information on the pre-conference session, including the six…

SSTI will be holding its first poster session dedicated entirely to celebrating why states, regions, universities and related organizations engage in TBED.  We want to hear your story to learn about the successes that keep you coming back to work day after day, the reason you believe that technology-based economic development is working in you community - the real faces behind all the data. With each poster, you help to strengthen the TBED community by providing needed information, expand your own network of professional contacts, and receive national recognition at SSTI's 12th Annual Conference. By contributing a poster, you place your organization in the spotlight of the TBED community and join other SSTI members in joining together to build an arsenal of anecdotes backed by hard facts to serve as arguments and evidence for expanding or sustaining funding by your stakeholders. This opportunity is only available to our membership. Join today and participate in the poster session and take advantage of the conference member discounts! To help our members get the most of the…

Crisp, clean air, blue waters and autumn leaves are just a few reasons why fall is the best time to visit Northeast Ohio. Cleveland was ranked as the number one “Most Livable City” in the U.S. by the Economist in 2005, primarily because it has all the benefits of a major city without sacrificing quality of life. Cleveland+ is home to major research institutions and healthcare organizations; major league sports teams; world-class cultural institutions; and great museums and entertainment attractions. Also considered an up-and-coming food destination, Cleveland offers some of the best, elegant, unique and casual fare around. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to network and meet a few new friends over dinner. SSTI is organizing a dine-around Cleveland with small group reservations being held at several exclusive establishments around the city. Sign up at the conference registration desk. More information on Cleveland events is available at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf08/cleveland.htm

SSTI conference “regulars” know that this event is the field’s most stimulating and rewarding professional development investment one can make. Each year’s agenda provides new perspectives and approaches to dealing with common problems, new issues and the latest trends and challenges facing your efforts to encourage regional innovation. You can expect: In-depth examinations of some of the best state and regional approaches to cultivate a bright economic future. Unparalleled networking with the right people within the tech-based economic development community. Stimulating dialogue and thought-provoking exchange between great thinkers, old friends and new peers from across the country. Renewed energy and personal resolve to address the challenges of strengthening your state or local economy. A great social networking opportunity enjoying the vibrancy of all Cleveland has to offer. This year, SSTI is adding even more elements, making it the most complete and complex conference yet. You won’t want to miss out on our new networking, entertainment and wellness events: National Innovation Reception – An annual highlight of the…

SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference is made possible by the support of our lead host sponsor, NorTech, a team of Ohio co-hosts, and the generous support of our national conference sponsors. SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the following exemplary organizations serving as our national sponsors: Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Greater Oklahoma City Chamber GSP Consulting National Centers of Excellence (NCOE) Ben Franklin Technology Partners Georgia Research Alliance Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) North Carolina Board of Science and Technology Ohio Department of Development Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Washington Technology Center ASME Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship & Innovation Battelle Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. (EMSI) Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) Lytmos Group Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Ohio Supercomputer Center New Economy Strategies, LLC Technology Innovation Program (TIP) The Trent Lott National Center of Excellence for Economic Development…

State, regional and university technology-based economic development (TBED) is at a crossroads. Many initiatives are celebrating major chronologic milestones at the same time new TBED elements – such as incubators, grant programs, research parks, and equity funds – are popping up almost daily in more and more communities and universities.   Still a rapidly growing field, TBED practitioners and stakeholders are asking, “Where do we go from here?” 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? We will have answers at SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference this fall. Our most complete conference yet, the premiere professional development experience for the community of organizations promoting innovation and entrepreneurship keeps getting better! Just look: Four future-looking special sessions focused on the key TBED partners: industry, universities, service providers and government. We’ll use instant polling and discussion with…

Each year, SSTI members assemble timely, relevant session topics offering practical information with lessons that can be directly applied to issues currently facing the TBED community. Rest assured that when you return from the conference, you will be equipped with fresh ideas to tackle your organization’s most pressing needs. SSTI uses a two-stage survey process during the summer months to develop the conference agenda, rather than having the agenda set by invitation or call for papers many months in advance. Given the breadth and diversity of interests and perspectives among SSTI’s membership, the slate of sessions is assured to offer more than one topic of interest for nearly every component of the TBED community.    Back by popular demand this year, SSTI is offering two full- and two half-day pre-conference sessions. This is your opportunity to learn what is working across the country to transform regional economies through science, technology and innovation. A separate registration fee is required to attend the pre-conference sessions.   New to this year’s conference agenda are four highly interactive plenary and…