Privatization Moves Underway in Indiana, Minnesota
Within two years, Indiana's agency for promoting economic development will become a quasi public-private partnership similar in concept to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
While in Minnesota, an agreement that resolved the budget impasse gives the state's lead science and tech organization a 12-month timeline to fully privatize from the state's support.
Indiana Governor Signs Budget Bill to Energize State's Economy
During a legislative season that was marked by heated discussions in most statehouses on what to cut or save, Indiana is one of a handful of states so far that focused considerable debate on planting the seeds for a stronger future through technology-based economic development.
$50M Lilly Grant Boosts IU Genomics Initiative
For the second time in three years, the Lilly Endowment is demonstrating its strong commitment to Indiana University's role in life sciences education and research by awarding $50 million to advance the Indiana Genomics Initiative (INGEN).
Initiative to Strengthen Presence of Life Sciences in Central Indiana
Leaders of Central Indiana's top research, academic and economic development organizations announced on Wednesday an effort to develop the region as a world-class center for the life sciences industry.
Tech-talkin' Govs: State of the State Addresses and Budget Requests
Again, "Tech-talkin Govs" highlights programs, policies and issues in tech-based economic development that were considered in the following governors' State of the State addresses.
Utah
Michael Leavitt, State of the State, January 28, 2002
http://www.utah.gov/governor/stateofstate.html
Utah Holds the Line on S&T Funding, Offers $100 Million for VC
In these tight state fiscal times, many government functions would view level funding with the previous year as very good news. Since tech-based economic development (TBED) programs are investments toward economic prosperity, conventional wisdom would hold that legislatures would shield these types of investments from deep cuts.
People
Steve Bryant has been named the project director for the Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership in Indiana.
TBED Organizations & People Update
Wade Lange, president and CEO of the Indiana Health Industry Forum, announced he will be leaving the organization this summer to return to the private sector.
People
The Purdue Research Foundation appointed Kathy DeGuilio-Fox to serve as interim executive director of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.
People
Ladd Christensen and Martin Frey are the new co-directors of the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development.
People
Envision Utah appointed Alan Matheson as executive director of the Coalition for Utah's Future, the sponsor of Envision Utah.
Indiana Initiative Targets Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics
A new initiative to target and promote Indiana's manufacturing and logistics sector will do so in a similar manner to the 2002 BioCrossroads initiative that aided in transforming the region’s life sciences industry, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) recently announced.
People & TBED Organizations
Conexus Indiana, a new initiative focused on the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, will be led by President and CEO Carol D’Amico, former executive vice president and chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College.
People & TBED Organizations
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has named Dr. Ragula Bhaskar chairman of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board. In addition, GOED has appointed Tamara Goetz as the state's new science advisor.
People & TBED Organizations
Charles Sparks was named business development director of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
People & TBED Organizations
Indiana University announced that William Stephan will be the university's new vice president of engagement, a newly created position that becomes effective in September.
People & TBED Organizations
David Boncosky will become the director of Indiana Economic Development Corporation's life sciences initiative Aug. 6.
Indiana TBED Investments to Surpass $100M: 2008-09 Budget Includes New $20M Life Sciences Fund
Indiana's General Assembly adjourned for the year last week, after passing a $29 billion budget that included more than $100 million for TBED-related programs.
Community Colleges Growing Providers of TBED Programs and Services
Announced last week, Ivy Tech Community College will receive a $3.18 million grant for training individuals from a 14-county region in North Central Indiana in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The grant, a component of the $15 million Indiana Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, will establish the New Pathways to STEM-based Careers program. The New Pathways program will be concentrated into three distinct areas:
People & TBED Organizations
Martin Donnelly has been named the regional director of the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Corp. Former Region Director Brian Kleber resigned earlier this year to take a job in the private sector.
People
Nathan Feltman was named Secretary of Commerce and president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC). Feltman, the organization's executive vice president and general counsel, replaces outgoing IEDC President Mickey Maurer.
SSTI Job Corner
The two position opportunities described below were recently posted on the SSTI Job Corner. More information, including complete details on responsibilities, qualifications and application deadlines (when available), is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Utah's Centers of Excellence: A 20-year Review
Since the creation of its Centers of Excellence (COE) program 20 years ago, the state of Utah has invested in aggregate $49.4 million, resulting in the development of 185 spin-off companies throughout the years, according to a recent review of the COE program, authored by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah.
SSTI Job Corner
Complete descriptions of the position openings described below are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.
Indiana Governor Proposes Higher Ed Initiatives to Stem 'Brain Drain'
State lottery would be leased to private company to finance fund, scholarships
Two initiatives recently proposed by Gov. Mitch Daniels would keep graduating college students in-state and lure world-class researchers to Indiana's public universities. However, a lottery lease plan that would, in part, finance the initiatives may be more the center of attention with Indiana legislators.