SSTI Digest

Total funding for research and development is expected to increase by approximately 2.9 percent to $329 billion in 2006, according to the joint Battelle-R&D Magazine annual forecast. The projected increase, from the estimated $320 billion spent in 2005, covers all R&D expenditures across industry, government and academia.

 

To survive economically in an innovation-based economy, Fresno needs to foster the creativity of its people and attract others into the population, says a recent report from the Fresno Creative Economy Council. While encouraging creativity to spur innovation and economic growth has captured the attention of cities and regions across the continent, how to accomplish that goal is less clear for many. Civic leaders for the central California community of 460,000 believe they have charted an achievable course.

The report to Mayor Alan Autry and the Fresno City Council looks at four spheres of change for transforming Fresno into a community that will retain, attract, develop, and support knowledge workers. These include mindset, smart growth, urban living, and quality of place. Within each sphere are strategic goals alongside several recommendations to be implemented by city leaders.

Southern Growth Policies Board has launched its 2006 online survey at http://www.southern.org/main/surveyintro.shtml to poll Southern citizens on their attitudes towards innovation and technology, and their role in the economic future of the region. All Digest readers within the Southern Growth's service-area are encouraged to share their opinions and ideas on strategies for increasing the role of innovation and technology in southern businesses, universities and governments, and the potential of technology to create jobs and wealth in the South. The 12-question survey should take only a few minutes to complete.

Bill Badger announced he will resign as president and CEO of the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp. to take an executive position with M&T Bank.

Roger Biagi was named to the newly created position of director of government relations at the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research.

The North Carolina Solar Center promoted Steve Kalland to the position of executive director.

Thomas Persons Sr., president and CEO of the South Carolina Technology Alliance, was appointed to the newly created South Carolina Venture Capital Authority.

Bill Badger announced he will resign as president and CEO of the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp. to take an executive position with M&T Bank.

Roger Biagi was named to the newly created position of director of government relations at the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research.

The North Carolina Solar Center promoted Steve Kalland to the position of executive director.

Thomas Persons Sr., president and CEO of the South Carolina Technology Alliance, was appointed to the newly created South Carolina Venture Capital Authority.

Toucan Capital announced the appointment of Dr. Phillip Singerman as a new Venture Partner.

SSTI continues this year's "Tech Talkin' Govs" series. The first installment of this 2006 review of governors' legislative priorities concerning tech-based economic development is available through the Digest online: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/digest.htm

Maine

Gov. John Baldacci, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 18, 2006

Like many low-population states that cannot benefit from tax revenues from oil and gas exploitation such as Wyoming and Alaska, Rhode Island must leverage its existing university and industry research capabilities more fully and encourage more private investment activity, according to the five initial recommendations of the Rhode Island Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC).

The council, created by Gov. Don Carcieri in April 2005, is comprised of leaders from the business, academic and government sectors of the state's economy. The group's first recommendation is to encourage greater collaboration in more focused or concentrated methods through the creation of a Rhode Island Collaborative Research Alliance.

One of the biggest obstacles for products drawing on alternative energy is finding a market big enough to bring the cost down of their new technologies to attract the larger more risk-adverse population of consumers. Californians are stepping up to the challenge after committing to invest nearly $3 billion over the next 10 years to aid in the shift to cleaner power.

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is investing $2.9 billion in solar energy to help bring down the cost of electricity for consumers. The PUC approved the California Solar Initiative earlier this month by a vote of 3 to 1, reports the Los Angeles Times. The 10-year program is designed to help the state move toward a cleaner energy future through reliance on solar energy. According to PUC, the goal is increase the amount of installed solar capacity on rooftops in the state by 3,000 megawatts by 2017.