Report from TAG's Presentation to the State Senate Committe on Economic Development & Trade
On July 8, 2008 TAG was invited to present to the state senate on economic development and trade at a meeting hosted by Western Washington University.
The work session was focused on the role higher education plays in economic development in our region. Representatives of our local colleges (Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College) were invited as well as business and economic development organizations such as the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council and TAG.
TAG provided a profile of our local technology industry as well as information about TAG and our role in economic development. As an advocate for technology based economic development TAG argued higher education is a key driver of economic development and industry-university partnerships are important for the success of our local economy.
Local industry and organizations such as TAG can and should work as advisors to our colleges and assist in developing curricula based on industry needs. Apart from offering internships and jobs to students industry can also work collaboratively with higher education in fostering opportunities for commercialization of research.
The recent creation of the Northwest Consortium of Innovation and Technological Development (NCTID) offers new opportunities to promote for technology based economic development in our area. The NCTID partnership is lead by WWU's College of Sciences and Technology and partners include other local colleges, the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County economic development organizations and local industry.
Another opportunity came with the recent state designation of the Bellingham waterfront as an Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ).
At the hearing TAG addressed our role and the opportunities created by the consortium and IPZ:
- TAG's role in the NCTID and IPZ partnerships is to act as a liaison with local technology industry, and pro-actively link businesses and entrepreneurs with researchers and other service providers with NCTID/IPZ
- Bring promising young companies/entrepreneurs to help grow ideas more rapidly and reliably
- Industry knowledge base/ Resource directory. This comprehensive directory of the local technology sector (574 in 2007) was developed and maintained by TAG and serves as a unique tool in identifying specific competencies and capabilities of existing technology-based industry.
- Identify/track core higher education R&D capabilities (researchers and their research fields) at local colleges
- Promote NCTID to industry and the community at large:
o TAG organized two ‘tech tours' of WWU's technology programs in 2007
o Representatives from colleges regularly attend TAG meetings
o Arlan Norman Dean of the College of Sciences and Technology was elected to serve on the TAG board by our members.
- Connect technology businesses with resources such as investors, legislators, educators, support organizations, and other critical resources (Washington Technology Center, Washington Technology Industry Association, Technology Alliance).
- Increase linkages with sources of investment capital for tech start ups. (Bellingham Angels often attend TAG meetings, and some are also members of TAG)
- Assist with connecting tech entrepreneurs with seasoned business managers/owners (can act as mentors)
- Continue work related to workforce development:
o Act as an advisor to educational institutions on curricula and certificate programs based on industry needs, e.g. SQL server certificate at WWU, Technical sales program at BTC
o Provide scholarships to support students that pursue technology related studies
o Continue success of Bellingham TechNight - a job fair to connect students and other technology professionals with job opportunities.
printer friendly