People
Jane Patterson leaves the North Carolina Governor's Office this week to become the Director of the Rural Internet Access Authority, a new state authority.
People
Margie Boccieri has announced she is leaving the North Carolina Governor's Office to join Southeast Interactive Technology Funds, a Research Triangle Park venture capital firm, as its Vice President of Business Development and Strategy.
Resources Focus on Innovative Practices at Rural Community Colleges
Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. (RTS), a national nonprofit workforce and economic development group based in Carrboro, N.C., has published Cultivating Successful Rural Economies: Benchmark Practices at Community Colleges.
Army to Create $125 Million Nano Center
The Army Research Office (ARO) recently created an initiative – a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) to be known as the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies – to develop nanometer-scale science and technology solutions for soldiers.
People
Dr. Raymond Taylor has joined the Southern Growth Policies Board leadership team as senior fellow and director of the organization's Council on the New Economy Workforce.
Job Corner: SDBIO Seeks Executive Director
The South Dakota Biotech Association (SDBIO) is seeking an executive director to manage and coordinate its daily operations, communications initiatives, government relations, member services, and marketing. The executive director will establish a yearly budget and determine funding sources, develop a strategic plan for growth and expansion, and carry out duties, as set by the board of directors. A bachelor's degree is required; an MBA or J.D. degree is preferred. Background experience with government or business also is preferred.
Venture Capital Fund for North Carolina Research Campus Doubles to $200M
The venture capital fund investing in biotechnology companies that locate to the North Carolina Research Campus is doubling its holdings to $200 million. This substantial increase is a result of a donation provided by David Murdock, the billionaire businessman and owner of Castle and Cooke Inc. who also provided the initial $100 million to start the fund. The venture capital fund is an integral component of the $1.5 billion biotechnology hub being constructed in Kannapolis, N.C.
People
South Dakota State University named Teresa McKnight as the first permanent director of the Innovation Campus at SDSU, the university's new research park.
People
The University of South Dakota appointed Terry Young as the director of research and development, a newly created position.
People
The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University announced that Jon Fjeld is the executive director of its recently unveiled Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Education, Research Initiatives Slated for Funding in State Budgets
Just as several states have announced projected budget shortfalls, at least three governors have revealed stable fiscal conditions for the coming year with proposed funding to support new and expanded education and research initiatives.
South Dakota
People
Joan Myers, president and CEO of Raleigh-based N.C. Technology Association, is the 2005-2007 president for the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA).
People
Ronnie Bryant, president and chief operating officer for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, is leaving to become president and CEO of the 16-county Charlotte Regional Partnership in North Carolina.
Southern Growth Outlines Steps to Rural Prosperity
Building high-quality communities is the underpinning of long-term economic development, suggests new Southern Growth Policies Board research.
People
The Greensboro, N.C.-based Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship has a new president, Michael Hentschel.
People
Dan Lynch was named president of the Greensboro Economic Development Partnership.
Task Force Created to Attract VC to Southern Region
The South represents 20 percent of the nation's economic activity but attracts only 9 percent of the total U.S. venture capital invested. In an effort to bring those numbers closer together, the Southern Growth Policies Board recently announced the creation of a multi-state task force dubbed VentureSouth. Virginia Gov.
Index Reveals South Lags Overall U.S. Workforce
As low-skill, labor intensive jobs are increasingly replaced by technology or outsourced in the emerging knowledge-based economy, a two-tiered labor market has emerged, thus presenting a challenge for workers to either work cheaper or work smarter, says a new report from the Southern Growth Policies Board. Only one of those options is appealing for those trying to improve your standard of living.
People
Diane Duff, former director of economic development and commerce for the National Governors Association, is the new executive director of the Southern Governors' Association.
TBED Efforts to Double Size of Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University (WCU) Chancellor John Bardo recently unveiled plans for a comprehensive regional economic development strategy that would more than double the size of the campus and promote university-industry partnerships.
North Carolina Unveils Plans for Defense Related Business Incubator
The rapid increase in federal spending for defense and homeland security has led a number of states to establish initiatives targeting potential economic development from these activities. North Carolina becomes the latest of those states, with its proposed Defense Technology Innovation Center.
RTI International Seeks Economic Development Analyst
RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is seeking someone for the position of economic development analyst.
North Carolina Research Campus Announced
Two years ago, Kannapolis, N.C., was reeling from the announcement that Pillowtex Corp, a major textile manufacturer, was filing for bankruptcy. Pillowtex's failure resulted in more than 4,500 jobs lost in just two North Carolina counties and thousands more in the Southeast U.S.
South Dakota Governor's '07 Budget Features Funding for Research Centers, Higher Ed
Increased funding for research centers, a laptop program, and investments in higher education were highlighted in South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds' fiscal year 2007 budget address last month.
People
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center selected John Chaffee and Randall Johnson as directors of the center's new eastern and southeastern regional offices.