Maine Gov. Paul LePage has nominated George Gervais, the acting commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development as commissioner. His nomination must be reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development and confirmed by the Senate.

Whether you are new to the tech-based economic development (TBED) field or a seasoned practitioner, SSTI's podcast interviews with experts in all areas of TBED serves as a useful learning tool. These short and "to the point" interviews delve into questions such as:

Job Corner

The 2012-13 biennial budget signed into law last month by Gov. John Kasich authorizes the state to transfer the liquor distribution system to JobsOhio, a private nonprofit partnership created to assume the business-incentive and job-creating functions of the Ohio Department of Development. With the transfer, the state expects to generate $1.2 billion in a lump-sum payment, with $500 million deposited into the general fund in FY12 and $700 million used to pay off outstanding bonds supported by liquor profits, according to an analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Pamela Goldberg has been appointed as the executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Currently, Goldberg serves as director of entrepreneurial leadership at Tufts University.

As state and federal funding for higher education dwindles and the workforce needs of the new economy continue to shift, state and university officials are reevaluating how higher education is funded, its return on investment for the state, and how universities can better drive economic growth. Recent examples in New York, Ohio and Texas demonstrate how states are implementing new policies to adapt to the changing times.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has released details on its latest funding approvals from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Eleven states, and Washington, D.C., are slated to receive a portion of the $360 million that will be used to expand state small business lending and capital programs. In order to qualify, states must demonstrate that their relevant programs will generate at least $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding.

E. William (Bill) Colglazier, recently retired executive officer of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council, has been selected the Science and Technology Advisor to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

JobsOhio, the private, nonprofit corporation authorized to replace Ohio's economic development system, would administer state funded programs and services that have a direct, high-impact on job creation such as business loans, infrastructure grants and deal-closing funds, according to a report to the Ohio General Assembly. At the same time, a newly named Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) would focus on programs with a more indirect impact on job creation, including federally funded programs and services geared toward communities and individuals.

SSTI is pleased to announce that John Fernandez, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development at the U.S. Department of Commerce, will participate in a plenary session on the changing role of the federal government in TBED at this year's Annual Conference. SSTI's Annual Conference is the only economic development conference this fall with the senior leaders of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) speaking.

The University of Kansas' Center for Technology Commercialization is seeking a director that will be responsible for effectively managing faculty-generated intellectual property across all the University of Kansas campuses and deploying it for the greater social good.

SSTI is thrilled to announce that Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee will be the Keynote Speaker. Dr. Gee has held more university presidencies than any other American. He is the co-author of eight books and the author of numerous papers and articles on law and education. He is both an insightful and entertaining speaker that you won't want to miss.

This year's opening reception will be unlike any other. COSI is designed to enlighten, entertain, and amaze you. Attendees will experience science, technology and innovation at work through more than 300 interactive exhibitions and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, including the country's only high-wire unicycle. One of the newest exhibits is the Labs in Life, a state-of-the-art laboratory where researchers from The Ohio State University conduct studies on physical activity, nutrition, and body composition using cutting-edge equipment.

No longer limited to a niche group of practitioners, promoting growth through innovation and technology has achieved widespread acceptance as the key to our economic prosperity. You'll find it in blog posts and opinion pages from across the political spectrum, and in virtually every corporate or civic dialogue today on revitalizing America's economy.

SSTI's Annual Conference is the only economic development conference this fall with the senior leaders of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) speaking. John Fernandez of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Sean Greene of SBA and Phillip Singerman of NIST will kick off an important dialogue among all conference attendees on how we communicate the value of investments in innovation, encourage collaboration, and adapt to changing economic and fiscal conditions.

This year's conference will kick off with an Opening Reception hosted by TechColumbus at COSI. Attendees can experience science, technology and innovation at work through more than 300 interactive exhibitions and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space while reconnecting with colleagues and networking with conference attendees, speakers and our local host over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The reception will begin Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 PM.

Beyond the numerous breakout sessions and insightful plenary sessions, SSTI's 15th Annual Conference offers attendeesseveral activities that other conferences typically don't offer including networking with other practitioners at some of the city's finest restaurants (Dine A-Rounds), maintaining your normal exercise regimen (a morning 5k run/walk) and sharpening your mind (morning Hatha Yoga).

This year's SSTI Annual Conference will provide attendees with many opportunities to explore the issues that drive technology-based economic development. When planning your conference experience, make sure to check out our breakout sessions, which will allow participants to focus on the topics that interest them.

Featured topics at this year's conference include:

As an SSTI conference sponsor, you have the chance to showcase your organization with the decision makers responsible for crafting and implementing local and state-level policies and programs that directly contribute to the nation's competitiveness. Today's marketplace is about belonging and staying connected. No other event brings together so many of the nation's top players in the TBED community.

Now in its fifth year, SSTI's Excellence in TBED awards program has recognized 20 of the most effective, innovative and transferable initiatives for growing tech-based economies from across the country.

This year, six new programs will be crowned winners of this prestigious award, held as models of best practice worthy of emulation. Join your friends and colleagues for a special ceremony celebrating this outstanding achievement following our keynote speaker on Nov. 8. Our first ever recipient of the "Most Promising TBED Initiative" also will be announced.

You've registered for the conference; booked your travel and hotel; made sure your iPod is charged... but have you told your friends and colleagues you'll be attending SSTI's biggest event of the year?

Don't forget to RSVP and look for updates on our social media sites.

This year SSTI is linking with the Ohio Early Stage Summit to offer the unique opportunity for attendees to maximize their time by attending two conferences, three receptions and endless networking opportunities in just three short days and all in the same location.

Renée Winsky, chief executive officer of the Technology Council of Maryland (TCM), has been elected to the board of trustees of SSTI. Prior to joining TCM in 2009, Winsky served as the president and executive director of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. An SSTI member since 1999, Winsky has been a speaker at SSTI conferences and accepted the 2008 Excellence in TBED award for Commercializing Research Category on behalf of the Maryland Technology Transfer Fund.

In what is considered typical for an odd-numbered year, only 34 questions have been certified in nine statewide ballots this election year. Some of those measures include redirecting funds to support higher education, revenue enhancements for states, and repealing legislation that limits collective bargaining for public employees.

Ballot Initiatives