South Dakota Genesis of Innovation update

Dear Folks: We wanted to provide you with the results of our subcommittee work regarding our forthcoming scope of work. We will be meeting again in July and what follows will give you all a preview of the actions we intend to take, as well as allowing you all the opportunity to express your own comments and concerns. As the technology based economic development landscape changes in South Dakota, so must the GOI mission.

GOI President Dennis Anderson has just returned from a Forbes Investor Trip in which he was able to meet with a number of experts concerning America’s position in the global economy. Dennis plans to give us all an overview of his trip at our July meeting.

Here is the scope of work the subcommittee has suggested:

1) Work with Paul Higbee (media director for the West River Foundation) to create media concerning the STEM careers that are available in SD, including the creation of a CD/DVD of interviews with the entrepreneurs who presented during the GOI campus tours in October of 2007 for dissemination among K-12` teachers, students, legislators and community leaders, engaging PBS for radio and TV time;

2) Work directly with the Board of Regents and the legislature on funding for human capital to do the research necessary to make SD a recognized leader, consistent with goal three of the 2010 Initiative, including:

a) meeting with Regent Kathryn Johnson to develop and submit a proposal to Tad Perry and the BOR for Consideration;

b) meeting with Joel Dykstra and other legislative leaders to draft and introduce a bill consistent with the proposal approved by Tad Perry and the BOR;

c) securing GOI Board approval for the bill and course of action;

d) developing a list of key GOI Board members and others to testify in favor of the bill and enlist legislative support and perhaps the support of the

Administration; and

e) lobbying in support of bill and engage media for support.

3) Have GOI become the liaison to develop more partnerships between the universities and private industry, including:

a) GOI delegation to meet with COPS or individual Presidents to determine nature and extent of partnerships and involvement by private industry on all

campuses;

b) meeting with private industry partners to determine relationships with universities and ways to improve arrangements;

c) contacting potential new private industry partners and encourage new relationships with all regental institutions; and

d) where interest is shown to exist, introduce potential private industry partners with appropriate personnel on regental campuses.

4) Update Mission Statement.

5) Update Website.

Please feel free to express your opinions regarding the actions set forth above by responding to this message. We will be advising you all of the date and time of the July meeting in the near future and will also provide an agenda.

Thanks and Regards, Greg.

Greg Bartron

West River Foundation/Genesis of Innovation for SD

525 University Loop

Suite 102

Rapid City, SD 57701

[email protected]

605-394-1706