Technology Indices Measure Vitality of Regional Technology Sectors
Two organizations with seemingly the same goal in mind recently released statistics on the health of their region's technology sectors. Relying on different methods, the Pittsburgh Technology Council (PTC) and the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) both analyze and report the impact of technology clusters on the local economy.
Recent Research: Local Factors Influencing Tech Commercialization
What are the factors of commercial success? As they say in real estate: location, location, location.
So what makes a good location for commercializing innovation? Innovative ideas clearly thrive where R&D spending flows and local patent activity exists. But, do R&D dollars and level of patents also indicate locations for tech transfer?
Tech Talkin' Govs 2005, Part Six
The latest in SSTI's annual "Tech Talkin' Govs" series. Five earlier installments of this 2005 review of governors' legislative priorities concerning tech-based economic development are available through the Digest online: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/digest.htm
Michigan
Will Michigan S&T Emerge Winner in Political Battle?
As the only state to have a net job loss in 2004, Michigan's political leadership recognizes something must change. The state's shifting economy, from one defined principally by its manufacturing sector to one that derives growth equally from knowledge-based industries, is at the center of the matter. Michigan policymakers are challenged to create innovative proposals that preserve one facet of the economy while broadening the other.
People
Oleg Kagonovich has been promoted to the position of CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. He formerly served as Chief Operating Officer.
Silicon Valley Index Paints Complex Picture for Region's Economy
As a percentage, Silicon Valley has lost more jobs over the past four years than any U.S. metropolitan area since 1939, but evidence shows the region is stabilizing with a return to levels reminiscent of the late 1990s. Funding for venture capital is up, per capita income is increasing, and research and development funding has reached new highs. Yet, the region's most striking feature of late is, perhaps, the way it is growing, according to the 2005 Index of Silicon Valley.
Hiring Additional Tenure-Track Faculty as a TBED Strategy
The University of Michigan announced last month that it will spend $30 million in the next five years to hire an additional 100 junior tenure-track faculty members to build multidisciplinary research and degree programs.
People
Victor Hwang, the immediate past president of Larta Institute, has co-founded T2 Venture Capital.
People & TBED Organizations
The business development organizations Ann Arbor SPARK and Ann Arbor IT Zone are in the process of finalizing a merger. The resulting organization will be Ann Arbor SPARK.
People & TBED Organizations
Christopher Hansen will succeed William Archey as AeA's next president and CEO. Hansen will start on Nov. 15, overlapping with Archey until February 2008 to ensure a smooth transition.
People & TBED Organizations
Dr. Daryush Ila was chosen to serve as executive director of the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee. Ila heads the Alabama A&M University Research Institute.
Michigan Lawmakers Approve Budget: 21st Century Jobs Fund Spared, Three Universities Receive Special Status
For the better part of the year, lawmakers in Michigan have faced the daunting task of balancing both a budget shortfall for fiscal year 2007 and a nearly $1.6 billion deficit for FY 2008. An agreement between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers was reached in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, following a one-month extension of the deadline and a brief government shutdown.
Milken Report Provides Suggestions for Better Biotech Funding
In a time of tightening budgets and funding shortfalls, many institutions are searching for innovative sources of capital to finance their investment needs. Financial Innovations for Accelerating Medical Solutions, a recent report from the Milken Institute, provides some insight on inventive ways to raise capital for the biotechnology industry.
People
William Carney is the new president and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, a private, nonprofit regional economic development organization in southern California. Carney replaces Paul Hiller, who left earlier this month to take a similar job in Boise, Idaho.
Michigan, Tennessee Plan for the Future of Renewable Fuels
During his keynote address at this month's renewable energy conference in St. Louis, President Bush informed attendees that the number of U.S. ethanol plants is expected to increase 40 percent in 2007. As the market for biofuels like ethanol grows, many states are creating plans to support businesses and research that can fill the current need for renewable alternatives at the pump. Among the states having taken steps to build a profitable alternative fuels industry and cleaner and safer highways are Michigan and Tennessee.
Renewable Energy Measure Approved in Washington, Fails in California
Two states had measures on the ballot to address energy conservation and encourage alternative energy production and technology. While Washington's measure passed, California's failed.
Depot Redistributes Life Sciences Equipment to Michigan Companies
The Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot has distributed its first round of life science research equipment to start-ups around the state. The Depot program, developed by Pfizer, Ann Arbor SPARK, MichBio and Michigan's SmartZones, redistributes previously used life science laboratory equipment to new Michigan companies. More than $655,000 and 131 items were awarded in the inaugural round to 18 applicants. The value of this equipment ranged from $25 to $125,000 -- an average of $4,404 per item.
Gov. Schwarzenegger Uses Executive Order to Develop Broadband Policy
In late October, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order designed to stimulate the growth and utilization of broadband networks throughout the state of California. Some the major components of this initiative include:
Michigan Update Legislature Approves $600M Tax Relief Package
Following months of debate that ended in a veto last month by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, an agreement was made last week on a $600 million tax relief package for businesses, which now awaits the governor's anticipated signature. Gov.
Workforce Readiness Issues to be Tackled in Texas, Los Angeles
On paper, the Jan. 4 FedEx Rose Bowl, which pits the Universities of Texas and Southern California against each other, will decide college football's national champion.
Michigan Gov. Signs Economic Stimulus Bill; Vetoes Tax Break Package
After several months of debate regarding a number of economic development initiatives, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law a major economic stimulus bill. However, unhappy with portions of a separate tax break package for businesses, the governor vetoed two of the 10 bills.
People
Daniel Krichbaum was named Gov. Jennifer Granholm's new chief operating officer, replacing Mary Lannoye who left the administration as chief of staff.
People
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has selected Brian McGowan to replace Yoland Benson as deputy secretary for economic development in California's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. McGowan, San Bernardino County's economic development administrator, will start his new position in January. Gov. Schwarzenegger also has appointed Teresa Takai as the state's first Cabinet-level chief information officer.
Not All Is Rosy for Middle Class, Silicon Valley Index Shows
According to the latest index from JointVenture Silicon Valley, 2007 looks like a pretty good year compared to 2006 when you look at many standard measures of economic performance. There were 28,000 new jobs created, a 1.5 percent increase in population, and 21 percent growth in solar and wind energy installations. Water use also dropped 6 percent, venture capital investments were up 11 percent, median household income rose, and city revenues were up 37 percent.
Three VC Firms Picked to Extract Green Tech from Federal Labs
Last week, three venture capital firms were chosen by the Department of Energy (DOE) to participate in its new Entrepreneurship in Residence (EIR) program, a pilot initiative designed to get advanced energy technologies out of the federal labs and into the marketplace. In the program’s design, an entrepreneur affiliated with each venture capital firm will work with the selected DOE laboratory staff in order to identify and evaluate marketable technologies.