SSTI Digest

If the most important jobs of the future will be connected to science and engineering disciplines, then, the current thinking goes, the U.S. needs to have more scientists and engineers in its future workforce. To achieve this, more emphasis needs to be placed on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula, beginning with math and science education in the K-12 experience.

According to a recently released report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), investment in research and development accounted for 4.5 percent of the growth of inflation-adjusted U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) between 1959 and 2002. This value has increased in recent years, with R&D contributing to 6.5 percent of GDP growth from 1995 to 2002.

 

These statistics are a result of a recent effort to chart how intangible assets, which are not normally used in GDP calculations, affect economic growth. According to BEA Director Steve Landefeld, some 40 percent of U.S. productivity and growth is unaccounted for in the annual GDP calculations. Research and development is one of those intangible assets that are not currently incorporated in BEA calculations.

 

Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced his administration and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) had reached an agreement that would allow companies sponsoring stem cell research in Wisconsin to obtain a free, non-exclusive research license under the stem cell patents held by WARF. WARF, which manages more than 720 pending and 880 issued U.S. patents on University of Wisconsin at Madison technologies, will not charge Wisconsin research centers for licenses on its stem cell patents. The agreement is part of Gov. Doyle's plan to help the state capture 10 percent of the national stem cell market by 2015.



The WiCell Research Institute, a subsidiary of WARF and operator of the National Stem Cell Bank, offers technology licenses, stem cell lines, and training for university and private sectors researchers around the world. WiCell provides five of the 21 stem cell lines available for federal funding and maintains more than 460 academic and commercial licenses on human embryonic stem cells. Its licenses directly affect all U.S. companies and research in the field.

Earlier this month, the European Commission laid out a broad-based innovation strategy to improve the Community's ability to compete effectively in the global economy. Each of the 10 action items listed include several recommendations for the member states to implement individually, as well as select items at the Union level.



Regional innovation strategies comprise a central element of the planning and budgetary allocation of the action plan, and the list includes several components with relevance to the 50 states and the U.S. federal government.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has announced the first round of awards from the states new 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative. Totaling more than $100 million, these awards will support applied research and later-stage commercialization of promising new technologies developed at Michigan's public and private research centers. The inaugural round of 61 awards is expected to create more than 3,000 new in-state jobs and to fuel new business development in the life sciences, alternative energy, homeland security, and advanced automotive technologies.



The Fund is managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which operates as a partnership between the state, private companies and local communities. Approximately $800 million of the $2 billion fund overseen by MEDC will directly support the commercialization of new technologies over the next 10 years.



The current round of awards includes:

TBED agencies in two northwest states have released proactive wish lists for state TBED investment in their respective 2007 legislative sessions.



Idaho

In a Sept. 12 teleconference, Idaho Gov. Jim Risch's Science and Technology Advisory Council agreed upon a $38.8 million package to attract and grow new technology businesses, as well as a tax credit program to encourage private investment in high-tech companies.



According to an article in The Idaho Statesman, the council's recommendations include:

With an eye toward easing traffic congestion, air pollution, and distributing employment opportunities more widely around Virginia, Gov. Timothy Kaine has created an Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance. The Office will encourage and promote telework activities for public and private employers, and work to advance innovative models that expedite the deployment of "last-mile" broadband technologies throughout the Commonwealth.



"Telework is a family-friendly, business-friendly public policy that helps us recruit and retain a high-quality workforce in a competitive job market," Governor Kaine said. "It also protects environmental quality and promotes energy conservation by reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions. Telework also allows a better balance between work and family."

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently released revised estimates of state personal income from 2003-2005. According to BEA's data, the U.S. as a whole showed an increase of 9.64 percent in per capita personal income over the three years. Twenty-seven states experienced per capita personal income growth greater than the national average. The District of Columbia ranks first at 15.66 percent, followed by Wyoming (13.96 percent), Hawaii (13.81 percent), Oklahoma (13.21 percent), Nevada (12.61 percent), Alabama (12.46 percent), Florida (12.38 percent), New Mexico (12.33 percent), Maryland (12.18 percent) and Idaho (12.01 percent).



The District of Columbia topped the nation in per capita personal income from 2003-2005. The remaining top 10 states showed little movement over the three-year period — Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and New Hampshire held their ranks among the top seven, respectively, and Colorado remained at 9. However, Minnesota dropped two ranks to 10 in 2005 and Virginia moved up two ranks to 8 in 2005.

While politicians across the nation are worrying about where their paycheck will come from in January, TBED programs are determining the best investments elected officials should make for transforming regional economies to be more competitive in a knowledge economy. Join SSTI in Oklahoma City Nov. 1-2 to learn about some of the most successful TBED strategies around the country and trends that should influence future directions. More information is available at http://www.ssti.org/conference06.htm.