SSTI Digest

No longer limited to a niche group of practitioners, promoting growth through innovation and technology has achieved widespread acceptance as the key to our economic prosperity. You'll find it in blog posts and opinion pages from across the political spectrum, and in virtually every corporate or civic dialogue today on revitalizing America's economy.

A wave of new leaders at the federal and state level over the past couple of years has ushered in new ideas for sustaining economic growth that for many states is changing how science and technology-focused programs are structured and funded. Meanwhile, at the same time policymakers and practitioners are embracing the importance of supporting innovation-based companies, the already limited resources for these programs are becoming more scarce. Put simply, all of economic development is at a crossroads.

SSTI's Annual Conference is the only economic development conference this fall with the senior leaders of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) speaking. John Fernandez of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Sean Greene of SBA and Phillip Singerman of NIST will kick off an important dialogue among all conference attendees on how we communicate the value of investments in innovation, encourage collaboration, and adapt to changing economic and fiscal conditions. Prepare for a highly interactive session in a moderated, thought-provoking dialogue on how economic development programs at all levels are (or should be) changing as a result of today's realities. Learn more...

This year's conference will kick off with an Opening Reception hosted by TechColumbus at COSI. Attendees can experience science, technology and innovation at work through more than 300 interactive exhibitions and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space while reconnecting with colleagues and networking with conference attendees, speakers and our local host over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The reception will begin Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 PM.

After an intense opening day of keynotes, educational sessions, exhibits and more, conference-goers will have an opportunity to relax and have some fun as networking takes center stage at SSTI's annual National Innovation Reception. The early evening affair provides the opportunity to continue conversations begun earlier in the day, visit our exhibiting sponsors and begin new relationship.

Beyond the numerous breakout sessions and insightful plenary sessions, SSTI's 15th Annual Conference offers attendeesseveral activities that other conferences typically don't offer including networking with other practitioners at some of the city's finest restaurants (Dine A-Rounds), maintaining your normal exercise regimen (a morning 5k run/walk) and sharpening your mind (morning Hatha Yoga).

This year's SSTI Annual Conference will provide attendees with many opportunities to explore the issues that drive technology-based economic development. When planning your conference experience, make sure to check out our breakout sessions, which will allow participants to focus on the topics that interest them.

Featured topics at this year's conference include:

SSTI is thrilled to announce that Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee will be the Keynote Speaker. Dr. Gee has held more university presidencies than any other American. He is the co-author of eight books and the author of numerous papers and articles on law and education. He is both an insightful and entertaining speaker that you won't want to miss. Be sure to register for the conference today!

This year's opening reception will be unlike any other. COSI is designed to enlighten, entertain, and amaze you. Attendees will experience science, technology and innovation at work through more than 300 interactive exhibitions and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, including the country's only high-wire unicycle. One of the newest exhibits is the Labs in Life, a state-of-the-art laboratory where researchers from The Ohio State University conduct studies on physical activity, nutrition, and body composition using cutting-edge equipment.

As if experiencing COSI's dynamic hands-on science center isn't enough, this festive event provides a wonderful pre-conference opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and to network with conference attendees, speakers and our local hosts overdrinks and Hors d'oeuvres.

The reception is sponsored by TechColumbus and many local sponsors who are supporting technology-based economic development in the state and region.

SSTI is pleased to announce that John Fernandez, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development at the U.S. Department of Commerce, will participate in a plenary session on the changing role of the federal government in TBED at this year's Annual Conference. SSTI's Annual Conference is the only economic development conference this fall with the senior leaders of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) speaking. Find out more about the plenary session and the full schedule at: http://www.ssticonference.org.

JobsOhio, the private, nonprofit corporation authorized to replace Ohio's economic development system, would administer state funded programs and services that have a direct, high-impact on job creation such as business loans, infrastructure grants and deal-closing funds, according to a report to the Ohio General Assembly. At the same time, a newly named Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) would focus on programs with a more indirect impact on job creation, including federally funded programs and services geared toward communities and individuals. Dividing the state's programs between the two entities is expected to better align economic development functions. Read more...

As state and federal funding for higher education dwindles and the workforce needs of the new economy continue to shift, state and university officials are reevaluating how higher education is funded, its return on investment for the state, and how universities can better drive economic growth. Recent examples in New York, Ohio and Texas demonstrate how states are implementing new policies to adapt to the changing times.

New YorkGov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed into law the NYSUNY 2020 legislation, an initiative the governor says will both help New York's public universities become a leading catalyst for regionally-focused economic development and stabilize tuition. The new law allows the four university centers located in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook to apply for challenge grants of $35 million each to expand facilities and enhance research-focused programs. A total $140 million is available through the program, including $80 million in capital funding authorized under the new law and $60 million in existing SUNY funds.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has released details on its latest funding approvals from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Eleven states, and Washington, D.C., are slated to receive a portion of the $360 million that will be used to expand state small business lending and capital programs. In order to qualify, states must demonstrate that their relevant programs will generate at least $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding. As such, Treasury expects the funding to generate more than $3.6 billion in additional small business lending and to create new private sector jobs.

E. William (Bill) Colglazier, recently retired executive officer of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council, has been selected the Science and Technology Advisor to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott named Doug Darling to head up the newly formed Department of Economic Opportunity. He also named Cynthia, Lorenzo, who had been interim director, to head up the Agency for Workforce Innovation.

Steve Jenkins has left his position as senior vice president for economic development at Go Topeka.

Denyse Ferguson has been named vice president of economic development at the Cincinnati USA Partnership, the chamber's economic development arm. Ferguson previously served as the president and CEO of the Lansing Area Economic Partnership, Inc. (Leap, Inc.) in Michigan.