Oregon Tech Council Endorses Spending Proposals for Technolgoy Based Economic Development

At a meeting last month, the Oregon Innovation Council revealed its state Innovation Plan, which includes a $38 million economic stimulus package. Gov. Ted Kulongoski pledged to make the recommendations a top priority in his 2007-09 budget, should he be re-elected in November.

Ron Saxton, Gov. Kulongoski’s opponent in this fall’s gubernatorial race, also endorsed the council’s recommendations.

The council’s proposals include:

* $5.2 million to fund the first commercial-scale wave energy park in the U.S.;

* $3 million to launch a Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies Cent;

* $17 million to continue funding Oregon’s two Signature Research Centers, which support the commercialization of nanoscience and biomedicine technologies; and,

* $5 million for a Cluster Accelerator Fund offered in partnership with the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department to strengthen the innovation pipeline in selected technology areas.

Read more about Oregon’s 2006 Innovation Plan at http://www.oregoninc.org/plan.htm.

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