SSTI is seeking a Senior Writer/Editor
SSTI seeks a Senior Writer/Editor to serve as the lead writer for SSTI content. This position is ideal for someone who’s passionate about writing; has top-notch writing and editing skills, including the ability to shift style and tone, and enjoys the challenge of translating complex information to easily understandable prose.
The Senior Writer/Editor will: write news stories for our website and weekly newsletter; track primary and secondary news sources to develop story ideas; work with SSTI staff to produce and distribute our weekly newsletter and other publications; prepare feature pieces on case studies of the results from tech-based economic development programs (including human interest stories on companies created as a result of our members’ work); edit SSTI online and print publications for grammar and style; interview economic development practitioners to capture and share lessons learned; and, work with SSTI members to develop materials to increase understanding of the tech-based economic development community and its impact.
What you need for this position: Great writing, editing, research and communication skills; the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work both independently and as part of a committed team; dedication to creating a quality product; a proven track record of success; and, a strong understanding of how federal, state and local government functions. Experience in entrepreneurship, economic development or business communications strongly preferred.
This is a full-time remote position. We offer a generous benefits package, flexible work schedule and salary commensurate with experience.
More information is available here.
|
|
|
ARPA-H releases details on site selection and first BAA
The Advanced Research Projects for Health (ARPA-H) released plans to establish hub sites in three locations across the United States and announced their strategy for site selection. With one site to be located in the National Capital Region (NCR), ARPA-H will issue a draft Request for Consortium Agreement (RCA) to solicit recommendations for the second and third hub sites. The ARPA-H hub sites are planned to support a network of partners, or spokes, that will form the foundation of a nationwide health network to “accelerate better health outcomes for everyone.” Read more
SSTI outlines ideas for planning, design of EDA Tech Hubs
Expanding U.S. innovation capacity sits at the heart of SSTI’s mission, and it was that driving force that guided our response to the Economic Development Administration’s request for information to inform the planning and design of the regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hubs) program last week. With $10 billion authorized for the program, and $500 million appropriated, the opportunity for growth in the nation demands a thoughtful and actionable plan. SSTI argues that where the country is now has been decades in the making; therefore, a deliberate, well-considered plan providing ample opportunity for regions to both comment on proposed program guidelines and develop local partnerships is needed. In short, EDA should resist the temptation to get the money out the door as fast as possible. Read more
SSTI members support innovation programs on the Hill
The SSTI Innovation Advocacy Council continues to work toward additional appropriations for Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, Build to Scale, and the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership. This week, the Council facilitated meetings with SSTI members and congressional offices to discuss funding priorities. SSTI also released a letter signed by 70 national and regional entities that support fully-funding the Tech Hubs program.
During the meetings, offices across the Hill expressed support for the SSTI Innovation Advocacy Council’s priority programs. However, staff do not yet have sufficient clarity about the FY 2024 budget levels or process to know how this support may translate into actual funding. Read more
|
|
|
|
Matt Riehl with JumpStart and Markus Videnieks with Lorain County Community College were among the SSTI members participating in Hill Day this week in Washington, D.C.
|
|
|
Tom Womack with AgLaunch and Lindsey Cox with Launch TN met with the Tennessee delegation during the SSTI Innovation Advocacy Council Hill Day.
|
|
Is the future of work a four-day workweek?
The idea of changing the 40 hour workweek standard has been floated for decades, and more frequently discussed in recent years as companies confront pandemic-related stress, burnout and the “Great Resignation.” But, even as some smaller U.S. companies (mostly in tech) have moved toward offering a shorter workweek, the idea has not become mainstream, despite some states’ best efforts. Read more
Commentary: When hope is all you have left in dealing with climate change
The press release for the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) opens in what has become a tradition for environmental reporting: a dire statistic intended to inspire a desire for action. This time, it’s that average global greenhouse gas emissions for the 2010-2019 decade were the highest levels in human history. The strategy has worked on the world’s young people and the small handful of people out of 100 who vote for and contribute to environmental change each year (less than 4% of American charitable giving went to environmental/animal welfare organizations in 2021). Unfortunately, these crowds are both powerless and too small. Read more
|
|
Legislative & Federal News
The Small Business Administration unveiled updated maps for the HUBZone program, which aims to attract 3% of federal contract funding to certified companies in these zones.
The Senate small business committee held a hearing on SBA’s FY 2024 budget request, during which administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman testified, in part, to the importance of last year’s SBIR/STTR reauthorization and the potential value of the agency’s proposed “Accrual” license for Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) programs.
Treasury delayed the deadline for Tribal Governments to apply for State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) technical assistance funding to July 28, 2023.
|
|
|
State News
Approximately 1.5 million workers in Illinois will begin earning paid time off starting in 2024, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which gives employees (with some exclusions) at least one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked. The state joins Maine and Nevada as the third state in the nation to mandate paid time off to be used for any reason.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain to announce the administration’s commitment to a new initiative: Advanced Clean Cars II — a vehicle emissions standard, which seeks to increase the share of electric vehicles, and to have all new passenger cars and trucks sold in Maryland to have zero emissions by 2035. The initiative is similar to one advanced by California last year.
Last week, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Temp Greg Treat announced the development of a new select committee on business retention and economic development to study Oklahoma’s present-day economic landscape, including the barriers or other issues that prevent bringing more employers and major investments to the state. The announcement comes after German carmaker Volkswagen decided to build a plant in Canada to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, passing over Oklahoma in its selection. This is the second megaproject the state has lost, the first was a Panasonic EV battery plant that chose Kansas for its manufacturing plant. |
|
|
People in the News
Hina Musa, who was named the new CEO of Social Enterprise Greenhouse two months ago, has departed the organization. Julie Owens will serve as interim CEO as they search for a permanent replacement.
Kevin Quinn, chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, has left for a position with the Biden administration. Terry O’Toole will succeed him.
Marlo Rencher has been named the first president of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation’s small business initiative, Detroit Means Business. Rencher previously served as senior director of technology-based programs at TechTown Detroit.
|
|
Join SSTI as a member
Join your peers and lend your voice to the efforts building a better future through science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Become an SSTI member and receive first notice of dozens of funding opportunities directly to your in-box every week; take advantage of reduced rates for our annual conference; learn from experts in the community; and, network with those most closely involved in technology-based economic development. Learn more about SSTI membership here. |
|
|
Job Corner
SSTI seeks graduate Policy Assistants
SSTI’s Policy Assistants will be given meaningful projects that require intellectual curiosity, analytical skills, self-direction and strong written and verbal skills. They conduct research to respond to questions on ways to encourage economic growth through science and technology, assist SSTI staff on research projects, and contribute content to SSTI’s website and weekly newsletter. Further, Policy Assistants are encouraged to develop an original project that will benefit SSTI’s members while also adding to the assistant’s career portfolio. The role is best-suited to someone with excellent writing abilities and an interest in the intersection of economic development, public policy and science/technology. Learn more about the role and how to apply, here.
Investment Manager - Innovate Mississippi
Innovate Mississippi develops startups, drives entrepreneurship, and facilitates equity-based capital investment through their statewide ecosystem. As Innovate Mississippi continues to grow and manage funds, they are adding to their Capital Team. The Investment Manager role will work alongside the Investment Director to launch the new MS SSBCI Venture Capital Fund backing early-stage and seed companies, and growing Mississippi's investor network, working closely with investors and advising startups through capital raise prep, deal sourcing, due diligence, and tracking overall portfolio performance. For more information and to apply for the position, please go here.
BioSTL is currently hiring for the following positions:
Read more job postings
|
|
|
This week's Staff Picks:
EDA: Building Better Regions Community of Practice and Research Grantees Make Early Progress in Support of Regional Coalitions
Since October, the Building Better Regions Community of Practice, led by RTI International and SSTI, has undertaken a series of one-on-one consultations with Build Back Better Regional Challenge coalitions to understand their early achievements and challenges. The community of practice has also launched a public digital resource center that will serve as a hub for all future activity. Read more.
Higher Ed Dive: Carnegie Classifications move to ACE
The system of categorizing colleges moves to the higher ed association, where leaders plan changes to account for social and economic factors. Read more.
Treasury: American Rescue Plan Two Years In: The American Rescue Plan Act’s Historic Investments in a Stronger Economic Future
To date, over 99% of all available State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds have been delivered into the hands of nearly every state, local, Tribal, and territorial government to support their response to the pandemic and recipients have budgeted $11.8 billion for public health projects, $15.9 billion for housing-related purposes, $10.9 billion for workforce support, $4.4 billion for small business support, and $24.3 billion for critical infrastructure investments in broadband, water, and sewer. Read more.
DOE: Pathways to Commercial Liftoff
These Liftoff Reports create a common fact base and a tool for ongoing dialogue with the private sector on the pathways to commercial liftoff. Read more.
|
|
|
|
