The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is looking for an executive director who is an ambitious, successful professional that will provide leadership in Kentucky's efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy. The executive director will work in partnership with all levels of government, academia, and the private sector to help create a supportive high-technology environment.

Included below are recent development plans and groundbreaking news for research parks announced by officials in Connecticut, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

New York Gov Andrew Cuomo has announced the launch of the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program. In its first phase, the program will make $140 million available (up to $35 million per institution) to SUNY University Centers in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook for partnerships with the private sector. These partnerships are intended to create new jobs and revitalize regional economies.

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SSTI board members Rob Atkinson and Rebecca Bagley and SSTI member Stephen Tang were appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Innovation Advisory Board. The 15-member board will guide a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation to help inform national policies.

Much of the recent economic recovery plans coming from governors across the country have focused on growing and nurturing existing businesses through a regional approach to economic development. The idea is that by identifying and defining the unique needs of a region, policymakers and practitioners can then provide the necessary tools and resources to grow industries likely to succeed within a given region, thus improving the overall economic landscape of the state. This approach is happening both in states and at the local level.

In the 2008-2009 academic year, nearly 66 percent of all degrees awarded by the State University of New York system were in fields related to the 16 clusters identified as key to the state's future growth, according to a new study — How SUNY Matters: Economic Impacts of the State University of New York. The 64-campus SUNY system is comprised of research universities, university colleges, community colleges and specialized institutions from across the New York state.

As the cost of a college education continues to rise and good paying jobs are seemingly scarcer than ever before, many Americans are questioning the value of a college degree. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found 57 percent of Americans believe the U.S. fails to provide good value for the money students and their families spend, and about four in ten college presidents say the system is headed in the wrong direction. At the same time, however, studies find the lifetime earnings of college graduates to be much higher than those of high school graduates.

Lawmakers last week passed a measure establishing the Innovate NY Fund to invest $25 million of federal funds in technology development organizations, research universities, and seed-stage investment funds. The Empire State Development Corporation will administer the fund and establish a competitive process for evaluating applicants. Investment priority is given to companies involved in commercialization of R&D or high-tech manufacturing.

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.

From undertaking a joint regional initiative to improve two cities' competitiveness in advanced manufacturing to launching an effort for engaging venture capital companies and bringing in top university students to showcase area opportunities, mayors in Lexington and Louisville, Boston and Chicago recognize the value in promoting their cities as top destinations for growing tech-based economies. While each of the three recent announcements detailed below target different sectors of the innovation economy, they share the same mission of making their region more desirable for startups.

The 10 regional councils established earlier this year to stimulate economic development and improve the business climate statewide are tasked with five primary responsibilities, and can compete for funding from a pool of $1 billion to support projects they determine to be a part of their regional strategy. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently unveiled a blueprint for how the councils will operate with information regarding resource allocation, structure and leadership, and performance measurement.

Venture for America (VFA), nonprofit organization, announced its official launch and the acceptance of applications for its inaugural pool of "fellows," approximately 50, selected from the graduating class of 2012. The organization hopes to "spur enterprise and encourage entrepreneurship in parts of the U.S. that struggle to attract top college graduates."

Recent legislative actions supporting technology-based economic development include level funding for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, funding to support programs of the Minnesota Science and Technology Authority and the expansion of two state programs in support of technology and life sciences companies in New Jersey.

The five-campus University of Massachusetts System is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial professional to become the associate vice president for economic development to help develop the university's role in generating innovation and talent to support the Innovation Economy of Massachusetts. The position will report to the vice president for economic development and be housed at the president's office in Boston, MA.

A newly established policy academy providing guidance and technical assistance will help seven states improve their environment for innovation and align state R&D investments, workforce development and education systems with current and future needs of advanced manufacturing industries. The policy academy will help each state develop a plan or overcome barriers for putting a plan into action through a highly interactive team-based process that includes input from NGA, MEP, EDA, SSTI, private sector consultants, and research organizations.

TBED organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island recently published comprehensive reviews of their respective state innovation economies. Both studies employ metrics of the general economy, as well as indicators of STEM education, research, venture investment and technology industry activity. They also use data from other state economies to track their progress in creating a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem. The reports provide a useful set of innovation metrics that can be applied in other regions.

Massachusetts

With increasing pressures from state and local policymakers to show a return on investment, universities and colleges across the country are stepping up their efforts to transform innovative ideas into ready-for-market products and develop a new generation of entrepreneurs that will spur regional and state economic growth.

On Thursday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration announced the winners of a six-month competition to secure funding for regional job creation projects. Over the summer, ten regional economic councils were created by executive order to develop plans that would improve local economies using grants, tax breaks and other state resources. The councils then pitched their plan to state government leaders (presentations and applications are available online).

Finding new and creative ways for high-tech companies to succeed is an important component in business incubation. A recent study examining best practices for supporting new company formation finds it is the synergy among multiple practices, policies and services that produces optimal outcomes. At the same time, collecting standardized measures, reporting on progress annually, conducting external independent evaluations, tracking programs, and continuing to enhance practices are singled out as important policy implications.

SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series has returned for its 12th annual edition. The series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from governors' State of the State, Budget and Inaugural addresses across the nation. The first installment includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Georgia, Iowa, New York, Kentucky, South Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, State of the State Address, Jan. 10, 2012 "... I want to announce two ambitious goals.

A job creation program to replace New York's Empire Zone Program, often criticized by Gov. David Paterson for its lack of results and soaring cost, was approved this week by lawmakers. The Excelsior Program carries a much smaller price tag than its predecessor and limits the focus to seven industry sectors seen as having high job growth potential. Funding for the program is capped at $50 million per year for a total $250 million when fully implemented. Annual Empire Zone expenditures exceeded $550 million, according to the governor's office.

UMass Donahue Institute is seeking a director for the economic and public policy research unit (EPPR) that consists of an outstanding team of twelve research and professional staff. Along with a commitment to public service, the ideal candidate will be a knowledge leader, outstanding communicator, program developer, collaborator and experienced manager and researcher. Familiarity with relevant research areas and potential clients in Massachusetts and New England, including industry, government, professional associations, and nonprofit organizations is preferred.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law last week an economic development bill that includes the creation of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation to provide access to capital and mentoring for small businesses capitalized with $35 million, and a $5 million recapitalization of the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation to provide funds for early stage technology startups. The bill also reorganizes and consolidates economic development agencies focused on regionally based efforts to grow and attract businesses to the state, according to a press release.

Specialized and high-tech incubators provide crucial services and resources to promote and enhance Commercialization & Entrepreneurship, one of the six thematic tracks of this year's annual conference. Three sessions tied to this theme will be explored during SSTI's annual conference, focusing on direct lessons from successful and proven TBED programs, regional innovation clustering, and more. They include:

• Distributed, Non-University Models for Commercializing New Technologies