A Governor’s Guide to Building State Science and Technology Capacity

Today’s state leaders face two economic challenges: to maintain
national leadership in job and wealth creation and to compete
successfully in a global economy. The key to both of these goals is
innovative capacity.
A Governor’s Guide to Building State Science and Technology Capacity

http://www.nga.org/cda/files/AM02SCIENCETECH.pdf

Today’s state leaders face two economic challenges: to maintain national
leadership in job and wealth creation and to compete successfully in a global
economy. The key to both of these goals is innovative capacity. Why?
Because innovation drives productivity growth, which, in turn, drives prosperity
and justifies higher wages.

This report focuses on what states can do to build the science and
technology capacity of their state, thus creating a foundation for business
innovation. Prospering in the global economy requires new ways of thinking
about economic development and new strategies to catalyze growth. To build
a foundation to support business innovation, the report suggests that
governors should focus on four key areas:

building on core business cluster strengths;
investing in specialized research and research facilities;
creating pools of specialized talent; and
catalyzing knowledge transfer and technology commercialization.

The report provides specific options to achieve each of the above.

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