In recent years, much has been said about the migration of corporate research from R&D centers in the U.S. to new sites in developing countries where many multinational companies have found large pools of skilled labor and access to the world’s fastest-growing markets. A report from Booz Allen Hamilton last year found that India and China were the fastest-growing sites for foreign-based research at U.S.

Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases its annual Geographic Area Statistics report, filled with detailed statistics collected from its Annual Survey of Manufacturers. The report provides data for the nation as a whole, every state, and the District of Columbia for numerous sectors within the manufacturing field. Included in the report are statistics for the number of employees, payroll, value added, value of shipments, capital expenditures, cost of materials, and cost of electric energy for heat and power.

The Tennessee Technology Development Corporation (TTDC), the lead organization in Tennessee for technology-based economic development, is seeking a president and chief executive officer (CEO). This position is responsible for the overall direction and management of TTDC and its programs, including resource development, finances, contracts, compliance reporting and operational policies. He or she will work with a 22-member board of directors to establish and successfully implement a work plan that fulfills the organization's mission.

Funding for energy and TBED initiatives were highlighted in the fiscal year 2007-09 biennial budget at the close of the legislative session in Minnesota late last month. Winning nearly unanimous approval from the legislature was Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Next Generation Initiative announced during his State-of-the-State Address (see the Jan.

Oklahoma is one step closer to positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy production, with the creation of a $40 million Bioenergy Center. The legislature passed SB 510 at the close of the 2007 session last month, establishing the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center announced by Gov. Brad Henry during his State-of-the-State Address earlier this year (see the Feb.

South Dakota recently announced it is reorganizing its programs to support entrepreneurs and high-tech start-ups. Instead of offering assistance to new firms through small, targeted programs, the state will reallocate the funding for these smaller programs into a larger fund with fewer restrictions on how that money can be spent. The change will allow the state greater leeway to assist expanding businesses, many of which were not eligible for the existing support programs.

Over the next few years, public policies that support innovation in alternative energy will determine whether or not the United States will successfully make the transition to clean and renewable energy, TechNet reports. The pro-innovation group, whose membership includes top executives from more than 115 tech firms, believes the move away from nonrenewable sources of electricity and fuel will require timely, active support from federal and state government.

Every year, some graduating high school students make the transition to college, many of them choosing to move to another state in order to continue their education. In some states, the number of students leaving the state is greater than the number entering, resulting in a “brain drain.” This net out-migration of students, many of which never to return to the state of their high school graduation, may impact a state’s skilled and competitive workforce, tax revenues, productivity gains, and appreciation of diversity.

The Digest story above details the push to keep high school graduates in-state for their university experience, with the expectation that upon graduation they will positively impact the economy of the state. An essential part of keeping an educated workforce local, however, is the ability for individuals to find gainful employment upon graduation.

Southern Growth Policies Board is polling citizens on their attitudes and ideas about building a competitive Southern Workforce. Visit http://www.southern.org/surveyintro.shtml and share your ideas on how to build a competitive, entrepreneurial workforce to support the southern region's economic development initiatives in high-growth industries.

SSTI serves as the TBED community’s go-to resource and strategic partner when dealing with TBED issues. SSTI’s unique ability to address the information needs of its members comes from the fact that SSTI’s staff and board have been “in the trenches” of technology-based economic development. SSTI’s president, vice president and board members, including former Governors John Engler of Michigan and Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, have more than two decades’ of direct policy development and service delivery experience.