SSTI Digest

The National Governors Association (NGA) seeks a senior policy analyst with substantial expertise in technology-based economic development and the role state governments can play in promoting it. The job involves assisting governors promote innovation by helping their advisors target, govern and measure the impact of investments in emerging technologies; improve the technology transfer and commercialization process; identify and assist potential gazelles; encourage inventive entrepreneurship; and promote regional cluster strategies. Such help is provided in a variety of written and oral forms, ranging from memos and issue briefs to on-site consulting. Qualified candidates will have an advanced degree in a related area, excellent communications skills, and strong project development and management skills. For the full job description and application information, go to http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

George Bald is returning to serve as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. Bald served in the position from 1998-2004.

Dr. R. Kelly Dawe was named the inaugural Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Distinguished Investigator, a new level of investment made by GRA.

Douglas Foy, Secretary for Commonwealth Development for Massachusetts, announced his resignation effective in March.

George Bald is returning to serve as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. Bald served in the position from 1998-2004.

Dr. R. Kelly Dawe was named the inaugural Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Distinguished Investigator, a new level of investment made by GRA.

Douglas Foy, Secretary for Commonwealth Development for Massachusetts, announced his resignation effective in March.

Aaron Greenfield will serve as the new director of the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp. in Maryland.

The six-month-old Information Technology Association of Wisconsin selected Jim Rice to serve as the organization's first president and CEO.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford named Joe Taylor to serve as the new Secretary for the S.C. Department of Commerce. Taylor succeeds Bob Faith, who is taking Taylor's position as chairman of the S.C. Jobs-Economic Development Authority.

The first three installments of SSTI's four-part look at how TBED will play in the 2006 legislative priorities of the governors can be found in the Digest archives at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/digest.htm

Oklahoma

Gov. Brad Henry, State-of-the-State Address, Feb. 6, 2006

"While the energy and agriculture industries will always be vital to Oklahoma and its economy, we must be prepared for the demands and innovations of the marketplace of the future.

Contrary to popular belief, intellectual capital and university collaboration - not just lower costs - primarily attract companies to locate R&D activities in locations away from their home country, according to a new study sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Dr. Marie Thursby, professor of strategic management, Georgia Tech College of Management, and Jerry Thursby, chair of the Department of Economics, Emory University, surveyed more than 200 multinational companies across 15 industries, mostly headquartered in the U.S. and Western Europe. Their findings indicate that emerging countries such as China and India will continue to be major beneficiaries of R&D expansion over the next three years as companies seek new market opportunities, access to top scientists and engineers, and collaborative research relationships with leading universities.

Hard evidence of the increasing global research competence discussed in the Thursby's paper above was provided last week when the Singapore Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) announced plans last week to commit $7.5 billion ($4.6 billion US) over the next five years to sustain innovation-driven growth through economic-oriented R&D. All figures below are in U.S. dollars.

To help Digest readers to appreciate the size of the commitment, Singapore had an estimated population of 4.4 million residents in July 2005, which would rank it 25th among U.S. states -- comparable to Colorado, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina or Kentucky in population size.

Stem cell research, an expanded tax zone redevelopment initiative and faculty/researcher recruitment are all beneficiaries in the fiscal year 2007 budget proposal submitted by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week. In addition, while overall funding for the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is down 16 percent from the FY 2006 appropriation, the governor's request includes several new programs to assist technology entrepreneurship. Highlights of the economic development portions of the budget are provided below.