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SSTI Digest
Geography: Florida
$200M for Energy Diversity Package in Florida Budget Recommendation
Gov. Charlie Crist outlined several new alternative and renewable energy initiatives aimed at diversifying the state’s economy and creating high-wage jobs in his fiscal year 2008-09 budget recommendation. Many of the new proposals would be financed by tapping into the state’s budget reserves and relying on casino and lottery revenues.
The governor’s proposal invests $200 million in energy-related research and commercialization projects, along with rebates and tax credits for consumers, that build on the policy framework of the Serve to Preserve Climate Change Summit held last summer. Funding is directed to implement new research priorities for the state, including:
People
Gary Margules was appointed vice president for research and technology transfer at Nova Southeastern University.
People
Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission has named Mike Bobroff as its chief operating officer. Bobroff is also the commission's executive vice president.
People & TBED Organizations
Enterprise North Florida Corp. is closing after 11 years of operation.
People
Nick Sacia is the new executive director of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce in St. Augustine, Fla.
Florida Investing $400M+ for VC, Research Centers and Tech Transfer
This year, the Florida Legislature focused a great deal of attention on TBED issues, approving and continuing its support for several tech-related programs. Though Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed $20 million investment in stem cell research did not survive the legislative session, initiatives designed to encourage other cutting-edge research, improve access to capital and attract promising companies garnered more than $400 million in the state budget.
Enterprise Florida will manage the state's new Opportunity Fund, which will provide seed and early-stage venture capital to high-tech companies through investments in private venture capital firms. The fund will launch with an initial, one-time appropriation of $29.5 million and will specifically target its investments toward companies in the advanced manufacturing, IT, life sciences, aviation and aerospace, and defense industries. Recipients must be Florida-based companies and have received twice as much as the state investment from other sources.
People
Enterprise Florida selected Louis Laubscher to replace Howard Haug as its new senior vice president and COO.
Knight Foundation Funds Creative Community Initiative
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with the Richard Florida Creativity Group (RFCG), recently announced the formation of the Knight Creative Communities Initiative in three metropolitan areas of the country: Charlotte; Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wisc.; and, Tallahassee. The goal of the initiative, utilizing Dr. Florida’s theories on the importance of creativity and innovation for economic growth, is to produce through community dialogue a vision to enhance each region’s environment for ingenuity.
Stem Cell Research Target of More State Dollars in Iowa, Md., Fla.
In Iowa
Less than two weeks after his inauguration, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver called for the state legislature to lift the state ban on embryonic stem cell research. The ban was first instituted in 2002.
Gov. Culver made the announcement at the University of Iowa's Medical Education and Research Facility. He also announced that when he presents his budget to the legislature, he will include $12.5 million for the construction of Iowa's Center for Regenerative Medicine to be built at the university.
"Simply lifting the ban will not be enough," said Gov. Culver. "We must commit state resources now to finding a cure and ensuring a high quality of life for future generations. Right now, Iowa is at a competitive disadvantage with other states. While surrounding states like Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri are moving forward to build research facilities, lure away our researchers and pass new legislation allowing embryonic stem cell research, Iowa continues to tie the hands of our best health science professionals with an outdated ban on this lifesaving research."
OPPAGA Recommends Next Steps for Florida Biotech
A recent report by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) recommends the state’s next steps to develop its biotechnology industry should include the creation of a privately managed early-stage capital fund for investing in start-up companies, to be financed by the Legislature. The report also contends that the state should consider the creation of an “early seed gap” fund to assist university researchers in the commercialization of their discoveries, and it should improve accountability for the performance of state-supported biotech initiatives.
SSTI Welcomes Our Newest State Members
Recently, Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development joined SSTI as state sponsors. We are pleased to have 38 state science and technology (S&T) organizations show their commitment to technology-based economic development as state sponsors. Our members see value in the educational opportunities, technical assistance and quality research information SSTI provides.
"We share SSTI's commitment to economic improvement through science and technology, which is evidenced by our focus on building Florida's economy through life sciences and other technology sectors," said Enterprise Florida President and CEO John Adams Jr. "The collaboration with SSTI and its members will benefit us in developing Florida as a hub for top level research and technology commercialization."
Membership in SSTI allows access to the most extensive network of current and past practitioners, academics and policymakers who are attempting to speed commercialization and encourage innovation. SSTI has active members in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Florida State Using "Cluster Hiring" to Improve Research Standing
FSU hopes new hires will enhance reputation
The competition for the superstars of the research world is heating up, as more and more universities create programs to attract research faculty to their campuses. One of the most ambitious in the country is Florida State University's Pathways to Excellence program. FSU intends to hire 200 tenured or tenured-track professors within a five-year period, with the intention of transforming the quality of its Ph.D. programs.