People
Dean Lewis was named interim president and CEO of the Science Center. Lewis replaces Pradip Banerjee, who left in January.
People
Aris Melissaratos is the new special adviser to the president for enterprise development at the Johns Hopkins University. The position was created for Melissaratos following his departure as secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
Job Corner: Penn State Seeks Director of Economic and Workforce Development
Penn State University is seeking an entrepreneurial leader for its Office of Economic and Workforce Development. This office serves to advance the economic well-being of Pennsylvania, ultimately by helping to create and retain jobs and enhance the skills of the workforce in the Commonwealth. The director of economic and workforce development reports to the vice president for outreach at Penn State's campus in University Park, Pa. A master’s degree or equivalent knowledge and at least seven years of related experience are required.
People
Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Greg Steinhoff to head the Missouri State Department of Economic Development.
People
The Kauffman Foundation named Patrick Von Bargen CEO of the Center for Venture Education. Von Bargen was the former managing executive for policy and staff at the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
PA Gov. Outlines Manufacturing Recovery Strategy
Hoping to combat and reverse job losses in the manufacturing sector, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell outlined his blueprint for recovery last month, entitled "Manufacturing Innovation."
Stowers to Double Life Science Center in Kansas City
Arizona taxpayers paid at least $100 million for the TGen Institute. The east coast version of Scripps cost Florida a cool $500-plus million. How much should Kansas City expect to pay the Stowers Institute for Medical Research to double the size of its 600,000 sq. ft. research facility instead of locating a second campus elsewhere?
Not a dime.
People
Teri Ooms is the first director of the new Joint Urban Studies Center in Wilkes Barre, Penn.
Missouri Gov. Signs 'Jobs Now' Bill
New manufacturer training funds, enhanced enterprise zones, and new economic development infrastructure loans are among the incentives included in Missouri's Jobs Now legislation, signed into law by Gov. Bob Holden on July 8. Passage of key elements of the package was one of the governor's top priorities for the legislative session and was considered critical for securing the new 1,200-employee H&R Block headquarters in downtown Kansas City, according to local news reports.
People
Frank Horrigan is leaving Innovation Works in Pittsburgh to become director of the Governors Action Team SW Regional Office.
Missouri Enterprise Seeks President and CEO
Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center, a Rolla-based, multi-office nonprofit organization that provides business and technical assistance to manufacturers, agricultural producers and startups, is seeking candidates for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. The full description and application instructions can be found at http://www.missourienterprise.org/Ceo.asp
People
Pete Tartline has resigned his position as president and CEO of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.
Mentoring, Financing Linked for Pittsburgh Biotech Firms
Financial success for any start-up tech firm more often depends on adequate financing and proper management than the specific technology, experts say. Two tech-based economic development organizations in Pittsburgh have formed a new alliance to offer entrepreneurial life science firms with an eye toward greater sustainability and profitability.
Carnegie Mellon Reviews University-Cluster Interrelationship
A study released last week by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Economic Development finds that, within a region, universities are best able to affect the growth of young, emerging clusters. The study, Universities and the Development of Industry Clusters, concludes a "university must have a large base of research and development in order to significantly impact a cluster..."
West Virginia Passes Two TBED Tax Credits
The jury's still out on the appropriate role or effectiveness of most tax credits to encourage tech-based economic development (TBED), but most politicians and economic development practitioners believe their state is at a competitive disadvantage without at least a few breaks.
People
Jill Felix, chief executive officer of the University City Science Center in Philadelphia, has announced she is stepping down.
People
The Allegheny Conference on Community Development announced the following three staff appointments: Leigh McIntosh was named special projects director, Katherine Needham is a new senior vice president, and Roger Cranville will serve as senior vice president of business investment for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.
Pa. General Assembly Approves Economic Stimulus Plan
Shortly after a General Assembly vote last week, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell announced the bipartisan approval of the remaining components to the state’s economic stimulus package. The governor's plan is intended to fuel major new investment in communities across the state.
PTC Finds Pa. Region's Tech Industry Marked by Increased Wages, Job Loss
A significant reduction in employment among southwestern Pennsylvania's technology industries in 2002 was not enough to offset signs of a turnaround, according to new data released by the Pittsburgh Technology Council (PTC). Over the second half of the year, a turnaround began to emerge and technology companies accounted for nearly 17.5 percent of the region’s workforce, PTC's annual State of the Industry Report shows.
Broadband Trends, Access Vary Across States
Looking to jumpstart the federal policy process regarding broadband Internet access, the Alliance for Public Technology (APT) has released A Nation of Laboratories, Broadband Experiments in The States, a report examining various broadband policies and programs nationwide.
Process and Product Innovation Key to Mfg Sector in Pa., Report Finds
With contributions of nearly $64 billion annually to the gross state product, manufacturing remains the largest of all industry sectors in Pennsylvania, according to a new report sponsored by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Data released by the nonprofit public-private partnership documents the role of manufacturing in Pennsylvania and analyzes the forces shaping the future of the industry.
People
Doros Platika is the new chief executive officer for the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse.
What Makes for a Successful TBED Program?
During the states' fiscal crisis, a number of TBED programs were eliminated, while others survived. SSTI staff spent a fair amount of time analyzing what the survivors had in common, and we boiled the results down to three items that successful TBED programs have in common. While it may seem simplistic, the three commonalities are:
BFTP Seeks Director of Investment, Entrepreneurial Services
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP), a nonprofit economic development organization based in Philadelphia, seeks someone to serve as director of its investment and entrepreneurial services. Established in 1982, BFTP exists to stimulate economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and the development and adoption of new technologies.
Final Week for SSTI Conference Discounts
The discounts ending this week on registration and accommodations for SSTI's annual conference will pay for much, if not all, of your round trip airfare to Philadelphia, so we encourage you to act soon on both. Or you can use the savings toward having one of your colleagues attend as well!