SSTI Digest

As the 2007 legislative session in Maryland came to a close last week, Gov. Martin O'Malley celebrated an important victory for the future of life sciences with a $10 million increase for stem cell research and the creation of a life sciences advisory board. Gov. O'Malley requested the 66 percent increase during his Jan. 31 State of the State Address (see the Feb. 19, 2007 issue of the Digest).

It’s no secret that research and education are important to a state’s economy, but for many poorer states, they may be even more vital than previously believed. A few recent studies suggest that increasing the number of patents and the education level of residents in a state could be a valuable first step in overcoming persistent poverty.



In a May 2006 working paper, Paul Bauer and Mark Schweitzer of the Federal Bank of Cleveland and Scott Shane of Case Western University argue that a state's stocks of knowledge, as measured by its patents and its high school and university graduation rates, are the most important determinants of state per capita income. The authors conclude that policymakers in states with lower incomes should focus their efforts on boosting these stocks of knowledge in order to build in-state wealth.

 

While the Tucson area is growing rapidly, surpassing one million residents last fall, regional economic development officials are concerned about personal income levels keeping pace with the growth. They argue that a highly-skilled and educated workforce within existing and emerging clusters is imperative to raise per capita personal income and to improve the region’s economic growth along with its burgeoning population.

 

Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) recently released an Economic Blueprint that identifies five major focus areas and outlines an action plan utilizing a cluster development strategy for sustained growth and a competitive state economy. These areas include:

It’s a question that many policymakers and researchers across the world are attempting to answer. A recent paper by Sharon Belenzon and Mark Schankerman, Harnessing Success: Determinants of University Technology Licensing Performance, adds to the growing body of knowledge on the topic, exploring how the differences between universities may impact the income generated by licensing technology. Universities with a strong commitment to local development objectives compared to other objectives, such as revenue generation, for example, produced on average 30 percent less income per license, the authors found. Additionally, on average, 30 to 40 percent more income per license was generated for universities that provided performance incentives for their efforts.

 

Please plan on joining us in Baltimore on October 18-19. You can learn firsthand how the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund successfully secured the increase in funding and how the initiatives are progressing, all while enjoying the view of the gorgeous Inner Harbor (see related story in this Digest).



In a few weeks, we'll be asking our members to evaluate ideas for conference sessions. These ratings determine the topics we focus on and the sessions being offered. While all interested parties can submit ideas, only members receive the exclusive opportunity to finalize the conference agenda by voting on session topics. You are invited to participate in the process by becoming a member today by visiting http://www.ssti.org/benefits.htm

Lyne Bouchard is the president and CEO of TechnoMontréal, a new umbrella organization for the city's information and communications technology cluster.



Rich Cook has joined the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative as venture center director.



Jeffrey Corcoran has been named director of the new SUNY Fredonia High Technology Incubator in Dunkirk, N.Y.



Anna Ehnmark was appointed executive director of the Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington.



John Gee was named president and CEO of the Information Technology Association of Wisconsin.

Lyne Bouchard is the president and CEO of TechnoMontréal, a new umbrella organization for the city's information and communications technology cluster.