People
Mark Wdowik was named vice president of technology transfer for the Colorado State University Research Foundation.
People
Paul Hiller has stepped down as CEO of the Riverside, Calif.-based Inland Empire Economic Partnership to be the executive director of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership.
People
Colorado State University and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. together have hired Martin Shields as a new regional economist.
People
The Idaho Falls-based Partnership for Science and Technology selected M. Lane Allgood as its new executive director.
Idaho and Oregon Tech Councils Endorse Spending Proposals for TBED
TBED agencies in two northwest states have released proactive wish lists for state TBED investment in their respective 2007 legislative sessions.
Idaho
In a Sept. 12 teleconference, Idaho Gov. Jim Risch's Science and Technology Advisory Council agreed upon a $38.8 million package to attract and grow new technology businesses, as well as a tax credit program to encourage private investment in high-tech companies.
CATI Receives 1996 Morrill Award
The Technology Transfer Society presented its 1996 Justin Morrill Award to the Colorado Advanced Technology Institute (CATI). The Justin Morrill Award is presented to organizations that have an exemplary record in technology transfer and have made outstanding contributions to technology transfer theory and practice.
Legislative Actions & Tech Talkin' Govs 2006, Part IV
State and Local Tech-based ED RoundUp
Colorado The Rocky Mountain Technology Alliance (RMTA) is a recently formed regional development organization for applied research and technology development whose membership includes universities, government organizations and private businesses.
People
Cliff Long is the first full-time economic development director for Nampa, Idaho. Long had worked for the Idaho Department of Commerce for the past 14 years.
People
Mike Kazmierski is the new president of the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp.
The Up and Down of CAPCO Programs
One starts up. Another bites the dust. The Certified Capital Company (CAPCO) Program, a complicated and controversial tool used by some states to encourage venture capital investments, finds its beginnings in one region while seeing its demise in yet another.
Recent Research: How "Surrogate Universities" Impacted the High-Tech Growth of the Boise Metro
The presence of "surrogate universities" - that is, nonacademic institutions able to attract a skilled workforce, produce marketable innovations and cultivate local entrepreneurship - have greatly influenced the growth of the tech-based economy of Boise and Idaho's Treasure Valley. Furthermore, distinctions in these surrogates' culture, innovation model and marketable products may help to explain the development of new technology firms in the metro area.
People
Former NASA Administrator Richard Truly, now head of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, announced his plans to retire in November.
States Looking at Higher Ed to Foster Economic Growth
One of the most critical elements needed for a tech-based economy is a strong higher education system that supplies a source of research ideas, new technologies and a skilled workforce. Studies have shown that individuals with college degrees earn more money, obtain better jobs, pay more taxes, and are more apt to perform volunteer work. Given higher education's important role, several states have been re-examining how higher education can play a larger role in their economy.
SBA Changes Rules for SBIR
Friday's issue of the Idaho SBIR Competition Newsletter brought to our attention two announcements from the SBA regarding the SBIR Program. Proposed changes for the program were included in the Dec. 3 online issue of the Federal Register. We reprint an extended excerpt of the text from the Idaho SBIR Competition Newsletter verbatim below, with our great appreciation for the work of Dr.
People
Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council has changed its name to Grow Idaho Falls Inc. to better convey its mission.
Party Control Changes in Several State Legislative Chambers
Unofficial results posted today on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) website reveals political control of at least 10 of the country's 99 state legislative chambers (Nebraska has a unicameral legislature resulting in the odd total for the country) changed parties in yesterday's election.
Angel & Venture Capital News
Boise Gains First Angel Investor Network
People
LaMoyne Hyde, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce, also announced he will resign his position by the end of the year.
People
Bill Shipp, president of Bechtel BWXT Idaho and lab director of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, is retiring effective Oct. 25. Paul Divjak will be his replacement.
People
Paul Ray has left his position as director of the Colorado Office of Life Sciences and Biotechnology.
People & TBED Organizations
Andre Pettigrew was named the new head of economic development for the City of Denver. Pettigrew replaces John Huggins, who left earlier this year.
People & TBED Organizations
Seth Porter was selected as deputy director for Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's Energy Office.
Colorado Project Assembles Suite of Space-Tech Business Services
While dozens of states have instituted clean-tech strategies in order to cash in on the high-tech wave of the future, some are looking even further ahead. In several western states, private space travel and companies are drawing the attention of political leaders, researchers and investors eager to pioneer an industry that may still be many years away from creating dividends.
People
Pam Inmann is the new executive director of the Western Governors Association.