Interested in Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Guidance?
Everyday more organizations are realizing the potential of mentoring programs to help assist high-tech entrepreneurs and to build stronger tech industries. In recognition of this growing trend, SSTI will feature two sessions on entrepreneurial mentoring at this year's Annual Conference. The first, Sustaining Entrepreneur-in-Residence & Mentoring Programs, will examine how these programs recruit, retain and support experieinced mentors.
AZ Gov Directs $10M in Stimulus Funds for Research and Education Initiatives
Gov. Jan Brewer is directing $10 million in federal stimulus funds to Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) to support research and education initiatives. The bulk of the money ($6.5 million) will go toward research initiatives and the remaining $3.5 million will be directed toward education programs. SFAz was created in 2006 as a public-private organization to strengthen the state's economy through investments in science and technology. Arizona's neighbor to the north, Utah, also directed a portion of federal stimulus funds to enhance its technology-based economy.
TBED People
The Tennessee Biotechnology Association has changed their name to Life Science Tennessee.
Ann Arbor SPARK recently added Bill Mayer as director of their business accelerator team.
TBED People
TBED People
Anne Barth has been named the executive director of TechConnect West Virginia.
Joann Rockwell MacMaster has been appointed site director for the Arizona Center for Innovation at the UA Tech Park.
Catherine Renault resigned from her position as director of the Maine Office of Innovation effective December 3.
Increased Regional Involvement Leads to Student Retention in Philadelphia, According to New Study
The Philadelphia region increased retention of non-native students (students who are not originally from Philadelphia but attended undergraduate or graduate school in region) by 165% from 2004 to 2010 due to an increase in regional involvement opportunities for students (e.g., volunteer opportunities, internships, off-campus work opportunities and local cultural/entertainment activities), according to a new survey by Campus Philly.
TBED People
Carl Bauer is retiring from federal service and leaving the National Energy Technology Laboratory effective Feb. 28, following a four-year tenure as the laboratory’s director.
Joining the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse as executives in residence are Maureen Peszko and Michael Lang. Pierre Queiroz de Oliveira will be joining the program as an executive associate.
Energy Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania Launched in Pittsburgh
The recent creation of the Energy Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania is intended to advance the energy-related economy of the Pittsburgh region by funding companies, coordinating projects, devising policies, and marketing the region's assets. While staff for the Energy Alliance will come primarily from the Allegheny Conference and Innovation Works, other partners of the effort include the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and various energy-related firms in the region.
Arizona Tech Council to House Trio of STEM Programs
Shortly after President Obama announced that the federal government would seek out new partnerships with private companies to improve science and technology education in the U.S., the Arizona Technology Council unveiled three new offerings for Arizona students. The group will collaborate with tech companies and nonprofits to hold a statewide science fair, to develop a four-year engineering curriculum for high school students and to create an online directory of STEM opportunities.
TBED People
Robert Fritzinger has been named the director of the new SUNY Fredonia Business Technology Incubator.
Ioanna Morfessis, a consultant from Phoenix, was unanimously appointed as the executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation by the board of directors. Morfessis is expected to start work in January, and will serve as acting director until the Senate confirms her appointment.
TBED People
TBED People
Eric Abelquist has been named executive vice president of Oak Ridge Associated Universities and deputy director of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.
Arn Boezaart, who has been interim executive director of the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center the past six months, will take over the position permanently.
FY10 Budget Leads to Significant Cuts for PA Economic Development Efforts
The first third of the current fiscal year was over before Pennsylvania leaders could agree on a $27.8 billion FY10 budget that sharply reduces spending across many areas of community and economic development. It does boost funding for basic education to historic levels, however.
People
Richard Lunak is the new CEO of Innovation Works and Ron Bianchini has been named chairman of the organization.
TBED Mergers, IPOs and Foreclosures
In January, Rhode Island's Tech Collective announced the creation of BioGroup, a subsidiary to focus on the needs of the state's life science industry. The new organization will serve as the state affiliate to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
Pennyslvania Outlines Role and Function of Its TBED Portfolio
Is Pennsylvania getting enough bang -- or the right bang -- from its investments in promoting a tech-based economy? The state has been one of the nation's leading public investors in technology-based economic development (TBED) for more than 20 years. Programs have evolved and been added over the years as factors affecting innovation and private sector growth changed. The result is now Pennsylvania's researchers and entrepreneurs have a complex portfolio of public-private resources available to them.
Recent Research: A Response to the Morrison Paper on Leading Firms
Editor's Note: Last week's issue of the Digest included a Recent Research item, Are Leading Firms Team Players? that drew an animated reaction from a reader whose opinion SSTI holds in great respect because of his contributions to improving the understanding and delivery of technology-based economic development initiatives. As a result, Dr.
People & TBED Organizations
Steven Zylstra is the new president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council.
Programs Recruit, Train Workers and Youth for Critical ‘Middle Skill’ Jobs
Across the nation, policymakers, business leaders, private foundations and nonprofit groups are investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates to maintain a competitive U.S. workforce. From middle school math and science labs to engineering-centered summer camps and tuition reimbursement for undergraduates who pursue these fields, there is widespread support for STEM graduates.
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.
People
Dick Munson is stepping down as executive director of the Northeast Midwest Institute to help start Recycled Energy Development, LLC.
People & TBED Organizations
Publisher's Note: SSTI notes with much sadness the March 5 passing of Indiana State Sen. David Ford, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. David was a good friend not only of SSTI's, but also of the tech-based economic development community across the nation. In addition to being a tireless and cheerful advocate for investing in science and technology, he was also a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and we miss him greatly.
People & TBED Organizations
The Beaver County (Pa.) CO-OP announced it will change its name to StartingGate. The incubator will continue to assist entrepreneurs and new business start-ups and help expand existing businesses.
Joe Dedman was chosen as the first executive director of the Southeast Indiana WIRED.
Brian DuBoff was named the director of Maryland's southern region Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by the College of Southern Maryland.
SSTI Job Corner
A complete description of this opportunity is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
People & TBED Organizations
Lori Broyles was appointed coordinator of the Women's Business Center in Oklahoma City.
Incubator RoundUp: Growing and Sustaining High Technology Companies
Offering customized workspace such as wet laboratories and specialized research equipment is one of the many benefits provided by technology-focused incubators. Access to university research, business mentoring and administrative support services often accompany the reduced rent facilities with the goal of growing technology companies into successful, self-sustaining enterprises. Following are select announcements of recently launched incubators and partnerships from across the nation.
Raising Personal Income through Focused Efforts in Emerging Workforce Areas
In the midst of a national economic downturn, coupled with stagnant to little growth in wages for even college-educated individuals, state efforts to build a qualified workforce and attract industries in emerging fields that pay above-average wages are crucial to ensuring economic growth.