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SSTI Digest
Geography: Arizona
Tech Incubators Continue to Pop Up across the Country
Alternate financing schemes increasing to pay for popular TBED tool
State and local strategies to assist new technology business formation often focus on three elements: helping firms secure much needed funding or capital (either private or public), lower their operating costs, or gain access to the intellectual and knowledge resources necessary to succeed. Since successful technology business incubators or accelerators usually address all three elements, the nation’s newspapers are continually reporting on the planning, construction or expansion of these useful TBED tools. A few recent announcements are highlighted below.
Arizona
People
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has named Robert Hooley as vice president of emerging technology.
Blueprint Recommends New Approach to Cluster Strategy for Tucson Region
While the Tucson area is growing rapidly, surpassing one million residents last fall, regional economic development officials are concerned about personal income levels keeping pace with the growth. They argue that a highly-skilled and educated workforce within existing and emerging clusters is imperative to raise per capita personal income and to improve the region’s economic growth along with its burgeoning population.
Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) recently released an Economic Blueprint that identifies five major focus areas and outlines an action plan utilizing a cluster development strategy for sustained growth and a competitive state economy. These areas include:
People
Donna Kent resigned as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council to accept a position with Televerde, a marketing service solutions provider based in Tempe.
People
Dick Munson is stepping down as executive director of the Northeast Midwest Institute to help start Recycled Energy Development, LLC.
Arizona Governor Unveils $75M TBED Initiatives in 2008 Budget
Earlier this month, Gov. Janet Napolitano presented Arizonans with a three-part plan to prepare for the 21st century economy in her annual State of the State Address. The One Arizona Plan would support state economic growth by investing in education, physical infrastructure and innovation. During her address, Gov. Napolitano emphasized the need to increase Arizona’s innovation capacity and to build a technologically-savvy workforce. The One Arizona Plan would approach these goals by increasing curriculum requirements for K-12 students, creating incentives to attract and retain high-quality educators, build new academic research facilities, and offer financial support for high-tech researchers and entrepreneurs.
The governor’s Executive Budget Proposal for fiscal year 2008 provides more details about the plan and its implications for state TBED. Under the governor’s plan, the state would dedicate over $75 million in new funding to science and technology initiatives, according to the Arizona Republic.
Tech Talkin' Govs, Part I
SSTI annually scans the inaugural, budget and state of the state addresses given by the nation's governors to see how TBED priorities fare as the state leaders present their legislative priorities for the year. If the addresses are right, more than a handful of states will be "the" leader for alternative or renewable energy within a variety of time spans. Highlights of speeches available at press time include:
Arizona
Gov. Janet Napolitano, State of the State Address, Jan. 8, 2007
"I want to focus on where we go from here, where we will take Arizona in the 21st century. There are three components to this One Arizona Plan – the keys to making our state stronger than it has ever been:
The first key is Education … to guarantee that every young person who graduates from Arizona’s schools is truly prepared for a world of competition and innovation...The third key is Innovation.
Job Corner: University of Arizona Seeks Regional Economist
The University of Arizona's Office of Economic and Policy Analysis seeks a highly qualified and motivated individual to conduct and advance a nationally recognized applied research program in regional economics. Focus areas include regional economic integration, cross border trade and linkages, economic impact analyses, and evaluation of economic development policies. A full description of this opportunity and others is available through the SSTI Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Science Foundation Arizona Releases Investment Strategy
Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) has released its strategic investment plan for fiscal year 2006-07, which includes grants to support university research, new high-tech businesses, and K-12 STEM education. The investment strategy will guide SFAz’s grant award decisions during its first year of operations and represents a starting point for the organization, which hopes to develop the plan into a long-term strategy for economic development.
The state’s 21st Century Fund, an initiative established by the governor and state legislature during the last session, provides public funding for SFAz’s grant programs. An initial allocation of $35 million will support SFAz’s five cornerstone programs, including:
- $18 million for Strategic Research Groups, which seed partnerships between research institutions and the private sector;
- $5 million for Competitive Advantage Awards between $100,000 to $400,000 to support in-state R&D;
Four States Reject Spending Restrictions; Tax Limitation Approved in Arizona
Five states voted on measures that would have the effect of limiting the growth of government expenditures or taxes. Four states rejected the measures, while Arizona narrowly approved its measure.
People
Marie Wesselhoft was appointed interim director for the Arizona Center for Innovation, replacing Jim Fountain who is retiring this month.