SSTI Digest

Following extensive public consultation, the French Ministry for Industry and Research has announced a revamped national strategy to boost support for research and development (R&D) activities in France. The plan, to be implemented in 2004, aims to make financial resources for innovative companies more accessible and to increase France’s appeal to the international R&D community.

Some of the key measures include:

In 2003, the nation's 20 top metropolitan areas will generate $4 trillion in output, or 36 percent of the national economy, according to a new report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Conference’s Council for Investment in the New American City. However, overall employment growth this year is predicted to be 0.1 percent in those same metro areas, with nine experiencing either no job growth or continued employment contraction.

The Role of Metro Areas in the US Economy: Employment Outlook reports the nation's 319 metro areas lost nearly 1.01 million jobs in 2001 and 2002, three times the job loss outlined in preliminary government estimates in January. The projected job growth rate of 0.1 percent for 2003 represents a significant downward revision from the January report, which predicted the rate to be 0.9 percent.

U.S. businesses spent $180.4 billion in non-federal funds for research and development in 2000, according to the National Science Foundation's (NSF) annual Survey of Industrial Research and Development. The figure reflects 13 percent growth over 1999 findings and the 47th consecutive year of increases. Federal funding for industrial R&D, however, fell to $19.1 billion in 2000, a 15 percent drop from 1999.

Top R&D-performing manufacturing industries in 2000 were motor vehicles, trailers, and parts ($18.3 billion), pharmaceuticals and medicines ($12.8 billion), semiconductor and other electronic components, ($12.8 billion), communications equipment ($11.2 billion), and, navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments ($10.1 billion).

Meeting short-term budget demands are consuming more and more of state, local and academic tech-based economic development practitioners' time. However, keeping an eye on the long-range funding picture is critical for sustained success. One of the most important federal sources for supporting the research enterprise is the National Science Foundation (NSF). At NSF Director Rita Colwell's request, the public has the opportunity to participate in developing NSF's strategic vision and plan for the next six years.

"The views of the science and engineering community and the public are very important to us and will be reflected in the final draft of the updated plan," Dr. Colwell writes.

The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has begun a review of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that will examine the program's mission and execution. MEP requested the independent analysis.

As part of the study, NAPA will consider whether there are barriers that prevent small firms from obtaining technical and business advice they need to improve innovation, productivity and competitiveness. NAPA will then identify business models for providing services.

The report is scheduled to be completed in February 2004. NIST is asking interested parties to comment on the study by going to http://www.napawash.org/pc_government_performance/ongoing_nist.html