Ivy Estabrooke has been named the executive director for the Utah Science and Technology Research initiative. She replaces former Executive Director Ted McAleer, who stepped down in January.

Catherine Lang, Nebraska’s director of Economic Development and Commissioner of Labor, has resigned to pursue a job in the private sector.

The FY14 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed yesterday and the U.S. Senate is expected to pass on Friday, contains $10 million for the Regional Innovation program in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s budget. This is the first time the grant portion of the program was directly funded.  The program was authorized in the America COMPETES Act of 2010 and establishes the program “to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters and science and research parks.”

This week, Congress approved a $10 million appropriation for the Department of Commerce’s Regional Innovation program in the FY14 Omnibus Appropriations bill and the SSTI Digest continued its Tech Talkin’ Govs series, as governors in nine states outlined their innovation plans and achievements.

Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, is departing state government to form a private investment company.

Travis Sheridan, currently the assistant vice president for innovation and entrepreneurship for the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, will become the new executive director of the Venture Café Foundation.

Two important and timely topics for regional innovation strategies will be the topics explored through a series of hour-long webinars SSTI will be offering in April: 1) improving the partnership between regional innovation programs and the nation's foundation community; and 2) the role the private/nonprofit accelerator model plays in tech-based economic development. Participation in these and selected other SSTI webinars to be announced in the coming weeks will be free thanks to generous funding from the U.S.

Let's face it, chances are your achievements, as wonderful as they are, likely will go unrecognized unless you start telling people about the good work you are doing. SSTI wants to hear how your organization is succeeding in growing tech-based economies and we'll share your outstanding work with the entire country. Learn more about how to submit an application for the 2013 Excellence in TBED awards today.

On the heels of their big win last week in Portland, OR, SSTI’s 2013 Excellence in TBED award winners have announced more exciting news surrounding their programs’ impact and new initiatives to support regional growth strategies. This year’s winner for Most Promising TBED Initiative, ASU Entrepreneurship & Innovation Group (EIG), has attracted a new partner to expand on their model for entrepreneurial support by repurposing existing library space.

Save the date!
Hosted by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, SSTI's 18th Annual Conference will be held in Chicago at the Westin Chicago River North Hotel on September 14-16, 2014.

Chicago provides an excellent backdrop for SSTI's 18th Annual Conference. Illinois has a vibrant technology community that is using innovative approaches to bring together state and local partnerships to positively impact the economy.

RoseAnn Rosenthal, president and CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partnership of Southeastern Pennsylvania, was presented with the Iris Newman Award from the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs.

Rob Wiltbank recently became the CEO of Galois. Prior to Galois, Wiltbank was a professor at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

Eager to attract investment and spur startup activity, city and state officials launched entrepreneurship programs, high-tech R&D centers, and sector-specific facilities as part of the innovation hub trend in 2013.

As we plan for 2014, Dan Berglund, SSTI president & CEO, will provide us with an in-depth view of the latest trends affecting tech-based economic development (TBED), new developments in the field, opportunities for the year ahead, and the implications and issues for TBED policymakers and practitioners. This webinar will be a good opportunity to reflect on 2013 and look forward to 2014.

SSTI is excited to launch a new service to permit our members to better connect with each other. The new Member Listserv is already proving to be a valuable resource to better facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise among SSTI members. You can join the discussion right now by becoming an SSTI Member. Contact Noelle Sheets sheets@ssti.org or visit http://www.ssti.org/benefits.htm to join today.

SSTI is hosting an informational call on May 8 at 3:30 PM ET to provide helpful hints on applying for the 2013 Excellence in TBED awards. Knowledge is power, and this is a great opportunity to gain a competitive edge by learning more about the application process. We also will share tips on writing an outstanding application. The awards recognize exceptional achievements in expanding research capacity, commercializing research, building entrepreneurial capacity, increasing access to capital, and improving competitiveness of existing industries.

Increase your visibility through Sponsorship Opportunities during SSTI's 17^th Annual Conference in Portland, OR, Sept. 15-17. Due to numerous requests, we have unveiled highly visible interactive opportunities at the right price point. A few of the exciting options include:

Past judges of the Excellence in TBED award program have told us they want to read a clear, concise and compelling story about how tech-based initiatives are improving local, state and regional economies. To assist applicants in their quest for the trophy, SSTI has provided several resources for writing an outstanding proposal. First, we recommend downloading the brochure, which explains the program philosophy and provides complete instructions.

SSTI conference attendees are invited to enjoy the Ecotrust Natural Capital Center's Rooftop Terrace and take in the stunning Pearl District skyline. The Opening Reception is being hosted by Business Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM PT. The history of Ecotrust is a story of innovation, adaptation and evolution. Led by Spencer Beebe, the organization's mission has evolved into an ambitious one: to lead an American economic revolution by deploying new business models that build economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

Around the country, practitioners have gotten creative in their efforts to solve problems seen as barriers to economic growth. In Arizona, BioAccel has developed an innovative approach to funding and serves as a promising model for organizations dedicated to technology driven economic development by working with universities, medical centers and entrepreneurs to translate late stage discovery research into commercial products.

For as little as $2,000, you can highlight your organization, support SSTI -- and receive a registration to this year's conference in Portland, OR, Sept. 15-17! The more support we receive the larger the impact of the conference. Over the last few years SSTI has been able to introduce automatic polling, discussion groups, dine-arounds and numerous other opportunities because of the generous support of our sponsors.

To learn how you can join SSTI and gain full access to all SSTI's information resources, including the SSTI Member Listserv, webinars and the Weekly Funding Supplement which provides our members with with application information, eligibility criteria and submission deadlines for hundreds of funding opportunities offered by the federal government and others click here or contact Noelle Sheets at sheets@s

Don't miss this opportunity to impress the entire country with the work you're doing to improve local, state and regional economies through tech-based investments. To apply, send us a five page narrative describing your efforts to: Commercialize and Expand Research Capacity; Increase Access to Capital; Build a Culture of Entrepreneurship; and Improve the Competitiveness of Existing Industries. We will also recognize a promising initiative that has demonstrated innovativeness, creativity and a well-defined action plan.

SSTI Online Events: Every Third Thursday at 3:00 PM ET

SSTI is honored to welcome advertising legend Dan Wieden, co-founder+global executive director of Wieden+Kennedy and the man behind the "Just Do It" slogan as the keynote speaker for SSTI's 2013 Annual Conference being held in Portland, OR, September 15-17.

Dan Wieden grew up in Portland, graduated from the University of Oregon and worked briefly in public relations before trying his hand at copywriting. In retrospect, it wasn't such a bad career move.

SSTI Online Events: Every Third Thursday at 3:00 PM ET

Major research universities are an invaluable asset in building thriving high-tech regions, but institutions of all sizes can play a key role in local innovation economies. Our July webinar will feature two successful regional networks connecting smaller colleges and universities to maximize their contribution to the high-tech economy. These networks are promoting inter-institutional collaboration, while also providing entrepreneurs with easy access to research services and commercializable technologies.