SSTI Digest

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced that the country would form a quasi-independent panel modeled on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote research in science and engineering. The new National Science and Engineering Research Board (NSERB) would make decisions regarding research funding and the creation of research centers around India.

The new board will oversee the distribution of funds associated with an unprecedented boost in Indian funding for scientific research. Prime Minister Singh announced that the country would double its investment in research from one percent to two percent of India's gross domestic product (GDP).

Two weeks ago, SSTI reviewed the TBED strategies states are advised to pursue as presented in the 2008 State New Economy Index released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Kauffman Foundation (see the Nov. 19, 2008 issue of the Digest). The report compares numerous indicators that concentrate on the economic structure of states and the characteristics of new waves in the economy, opposed to measuring only state economic performance or state policies. As in previous editions of the Index, the measures are divided into five categories: knowledge jobs, globalization, economic dynamism, the digital economy, and innovation capacity.

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new data series tracking employment changes at the establishment level. This data allows users to track the expansion and contraction of employment within existing businesses and creation and destruction of jobs through the birth and death of firms. In addition, the Census Bureau has broken down the data by firm size, age, sector and state.

Gov. Jim Douglas plans to merge the Vermont Departments of Economic Development and Housing and Community Affairs.

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.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski unveiled his fiscal year 2009-11 recommended budget this week, highlighting the need for targeted investments in nanoscience, manufacturing, and renewable energy research based on recommendations developed by the Oregon Innovation Council. The governor's plan aims to expand and diversify the state's economic base by attracting new industries and companies, building on the $28.2 million innovation plan signed into law last year (see the Aug. 1, 2007 issue of the Digest).

Due to overwhelming interest, SSTI's first poster session, held at SSTI's 12th Annual Conference in Cleveland mid October, is now available online 24 hours a day - 7 days a week. You can view more than 35 posters celebrating why states, regions, universities and related organizations engage in technology-based economic development (TBED).

Each poster profiles a success story providing hard evidence of how TBED investments are sustaining the nation's position as a global leader for innovation and competitiveness -- one local or regional project at a time. The impacts shown are a direct result of the assistance provided by SSTI member organizations.

Throughout the presidential campaign President-elect Barack Obama continually emphasized the need for new policies to spur the development of clean and renewable energy technologies. Despite the economic downturn, President-elect Obama has maintained that these new programs will remain a priority for his administration. A key plank of his energy plan is the implementation of a national cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. 

If the fifth biennial assessment of U.S. higher education prepared by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education had to fit on an early elementary school report card, it might very well read "Shows effort, but not keeping pace with the rest of the students."

Measuring Up 2008 first looks at national higher education performance compared against other countries and finds the traditional leadership role of the U.S. eroding in many categories: percent of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college; college completion rates (never a U.S. strength, the report points out); and percent of 25- to 34-year-olds with associate degrees or higher.

North Carolina's $1.2 billion dollar investment in bioscience over the past decade has helped to build a $45 billion dollar a year industry in the state, according to a new study released by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The report finds that North Carolina's bioscience employment numbers have grown 18.5 percent since 2001, the fastest in the nation. Much of this growth has been fueled by increased activity in research, testing and medical labs and in the agricultural feedstock and chemicals subsector. 

Incubators may take on magnified importance in regional innovation strategies for the coming years given the continued decline in seed and venture capital available to early-stage companies, the need for startups to reduce costs, and the increased opportunities presented for innovation through collaboration and sharing of knowledge.

So it isn't too surprising to see the wave of incubator launches increase during this financial slowdown.

A new incubator can take several tacks toward filling its walls. Often the strategy toward defining target tenants depends on the assets of the community. A generalized incubator could be well suited to an area short on affordable space for start-ups in need of shared general business services.