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SSTI Digest
Geography: Iowa
Iowa Governor Signs Bill Creating Two New Economic Development Entities
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed Iowa House File 590 into law, establishing a new economic development public-private partnership. The Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP) will be comprised of two separate entities — the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Innovation Corporation. IPEP replaces the embattled Iowa Department of Economic Development. The passage of the bill achieves one of Gov. Brandstad's top campaign priorities to shift the state's economic development efforts away from government and more toward the private sector. The Iowa Business Council (IBC), a nonprofit organization, also released a new report that looks at the Iowa competitive advantage relative to other states over a 10-year period.
Iowa Bioscience Report Urges More State Support for University Researchers, Facilities
Recruiting bioscience faculty to universities and investing in R&D infrastructure tops the list of strategies recommended for Iowa to capitalize on a growing bioscience economy. A report commissioned by Innovate Iowa also finds that while significant progress has been made in growing the state's bioscience industry over the last 10 years, declining state funds to build research capacity and provide seed and venture capital remains a challenge for bioscience companies and entrepreneurs to compete regionally and globally.
Spending Plans in IA and MA Seek to Balance Cuts with Job Creation Efforts
Deep cuts to higher education and reorganizing economic development efforts are common themes in executive budget proposals across most of the country as governors seek to both reduce spending and create jobs. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad recently introduced legislation to replace the state's existing economic development agency with a public-private partnership. Meanwhile, his budget eliminates the Iowa Power Fund, established by the legislature in 2007 to invest in private sector renewable and alternative energy industries. In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick recommends $10 million to continue state support for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, but also plans to collect $25 million from the state's quasi-public agencies and defer $5 million in tax credits slated for life science companies to help fill a projected deficit totaling up to $2.5 billion.
Iowa's Innovation Council Strategic Plan Asks to Go Nonprofit
The Iowa Innovation Council, a 29-member state advisory board, released a strategic plan focused on entrepreneurship and targeted industries (e.g., advanced manufacturing, biosciences and information technology) to grow the state's innovation economy. The council believes this plan will create high-skilled, high-wage jobs through several new initiatives including:
- A private seed capital investment fund;
- New strategies to accelerate technology transfer and commercialization; and,
- Expansion of services available to businesses including a source for best practices and standardized due diligence processes.
Legislative Wrap Up: Idaho, Iowa, South Dakota Pass Budgets
Lawmakers in Idaho, Iowa and South Dakota recently passed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year providing funds to help stabilize higher education funding, support research projects related to renewable energy R&D, and provide temporary operational support for an underground deep science laboratory.
Idaho
Gov. Butch Otter signed into law HB 544, the Higher Education Stabilization Fund, setting up three accounts to help protect higher education funding from economic downturns. The bill redirects interest on revenue from tuition and fees at Idaho's state colleges and universities to a new strategic interest account within the newly established Higher Education Stabilization fund. The fund includes $114,000 in interest earnings available now, and lawmakers can appropriate money directly to the fund when a surplus is available in the future, according to a press release.
Industry Leaders to Steer New Iowa Innovation Council
Gov. Chet Culver last week signed legislation creating the Iowa Innovation Council to advise the state's Department of Economic Development on policies that enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in high-growth industries such as advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and information technology. The council will be led by a group of volunteer private business leaders with expertise in the targeted industry sectors and charged with creating a strategic plan for implementing specific policies and coordinating state government applications for federal funds related to R&D. Three of the state's existing councils, the Bioscience Alliance, Advanced Manufacturing Council, and Information Technology Council are consolidated within the new policy group. The enrolled version of HF 2076 is available at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us
Tech Talkin' Govs, Part I
Entering its tenth year covering governors’ State of the State, Budget and Inaugural Addresses, SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from across the nation. The first edition includes excerpts from speeches delivered in the following states:
Arizona
Gov. Janice Brewer, State of the State Address, Jan. 11, 2010
“… I am taking the following specific actions to make Arizona even more competitive in creating jobs.
First, I am announcing the formation of a Governor's Jobs Cabinet. This team of key state agency directors will cut through the red tape and the green tape to speed job creation.
“Second, I will be allocating a significant portion of remaining federal stimulus funds directly to bring new jobs to Arizona. Specifically, I am devoting $10 million in one-time federal stimulus funds for job training. …
People
Lee Cheatham announced he is leaving his position as executive director of the Washington Technology Center and has accepted the position of operations director at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. Chris Coleman, WTC's current CFO and director of business operations, has been selected to serve as interim executive director for the organization.
TBED People and Organizations
Kathy Collins has been appointed as the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) regional director in Madison. Previously, Collins worked as the technology and financial development manager in the Commerce Division of Business Development.
Ron Cox has been appointed as the assistant dean for economic development in the engineering college at Iowa State University. He retains his current position as director of CIRAS, the Center for Industrial Research and Service.
Frank DiBello, a veteran aerospace consultant who’s been Space Florida’s interim president since May, was named as the permanent leader of the aerospace development agency.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert appointed businessman and philanthropist Spencer Eccles to lead the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Eccles, son of the former First Security chairman and CEO Spencer Eccles, will be joined by Josh Romney, son of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. The younger Romney will serve as the state’s national business recruitment policy advisor.
Iowa Lawmakers Commit Funds for Job Creation, Renewable Energy
Iowa legislators adjourned the 2009 session last week after voting in favor of Gov. Chet Culver's multi-million dollar I-JOBS initiative, providing $35 million for broadband access and alternative energy projects. The compromise plan approved by lawmakers allocates $715 million for investments in infrastructure, jobs, the environment, and flood relief through the issuance of bonds paid for with gaming revenue and existing tax revenues, according to the governor's office.
To improve the state's telecommunications infrastructure, $25 million will be leveraged with up to $500 million in federal funding for improved broadband access. The goal is to put in place a system worth about $1 billion when combined with private investments to replace the current system of low- and high-speed connections scattered throughout the state, according to a Des Moines Register article.
Summer Camps Aren’t Just for Kids; Programs Engage Science Teachers in Research
Summer camps focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are typically designed to spark youth interest and introduce students to career options in these critical areas. However, a vital component of these programs is exposure to scientific challenges that many classroom settings cannot provide. Recognizing this exposure as beneficial to both teachers and students, several programs are targeting educators with the goal of enhancing instructional methods in the classroom in order to increase student achievement in the STEM fields. The following are examples of professional development programs for science teachers from across the country offered over the summer months.
Kansas