Winter 2009
Rising to the Challenge, Seizing the Opportunity: Technology Alliance Urges State Policy Leaders to Chart a Course for Long-term Economic Success
Wrestling with a multi-billion dollar deficit, policy makers in Washington State face a daunting task in crafting a budget for the next biennium.
While acknowledging that tough choices will have to be made, Technology Alliance leaders have made clear that our state must not sacrifice our future economic prosperity in its quest for a short-term fix.
Due to the precarious nature of the state and national economy, Technology Alliance leaders are concerned about preserving state funding for higher education, particularly in fields that are and will continue to be key drivers of Washington's economy.
"Washington's economy is fueled by innovation, so we can not decimate funding for high-impact baccalaureate and graduate programs at our four-year colleges and universities and expect to maintain our leadership position in technology and scientific research," said TA Executive Director Susannah Malarkey. "When 40% of total state employment is supported by our technology sector, it is essential that we equip Washington citizens with the knowledge and skills to participate in our own economy."
Malarkey is referring to the findings of the TA's 2008 study which found that technology-based industries directly account for more than 343,000 jobs and support a total of more than 1.1 million - or 40% of covered employment - in the state. Innovative sectors are expected to drive job creation in the future: according to the 2008 Washington State Labor Market and Economic Report, four of the five fastest-growing occupations in Washington are in computer-related fields requiring a bachelor's-level education or higher.
This, combined with the increase in the number of citizens turning to our higher education institutions as the job market contracts, suggests that state leaders will need to prioritize investment to keep degree programs that will underpin our future economy, such as science and engineering, strong. The TA is asking policy makers to be mindful of the negative, long-term impact that significant funding reductions will have on Washington's public four-year institutions and the quality of life of our citizens.
"You can not starve your way to excellence in higher education," Malarkey observed. "We are asking our state leaders to be strategic and forward-thinking in crafting this portion of the state budget."
Excellence at all levels of education in Washington has been a priority for the Technology Alliance over its 13-year history. Working with other, like-minded business and labor organizations as part of the College & Work Ready Agenda coalition, the TA continues to advocate for policy changes and targeted investments that will support four pillars of a world-class education system in our state: quality early learning programs; a K-12 education that aligns with the level of knowledge and skills required for graduates to be successful in college and the workplace; increased bachelor's degree production in high-demand, high-impact fields; and enhanced support for graduate education and university research.
Also at the top of the TA's agenda this year: positioning Washington to be a leader in the development, deployment and export of clean technologies, and refocusing state economic development to better support this and other emerging and existing industries. With a new federal administration looking to invest in new, clean energy solutions, the TA and organizations such as the Washington Clean Technology Alliance are urging the state to work with public and private sector partners to identify Washington's competitive strengths and to develop a strategic, actionable agenda for leveraging our assets, commercializing promising research, and building up this sector of our economy.
The TA recognized an opportunity in the present climate for the state to streamline and refocus economic development to be more efficient, responsive, and supportive of innovation. To that end, the TA and its Associates - a group of collaborative organizations focused on technology-based economic development in communities around the state - have identified four principles that will be crucial to incorporate into a new, improved state economic development infrastructure:
- Make attraction and retention of businesses the core focus and, accordingly, cultivate a strong national and international profile for Washington that targets key sectors such as information technology, aerospace, clean technology, and life sciences.
- Orient state economic development to engage with the private sector in a sustained and meaningful way, supporting programs and partnerships to advance the innovative sectors that drive a significant share of Washington employment, exports and international identity.
- Strategically align workforce development with our long-term economic development goals to cultivate the educated, entrepreneurial talent that fuels Washington's job-creating industries.
- Function as a one-stop shop for business and provide public policy leadership aimed at maintaining a supportive business climate that will make Washington the envy of other states.
"Our state leaders have to wrestle with some difficult questions about how to meet critical, short-term needs while stimulating our economic recovery and long-term growth," notes TA Policy Chair Rob Arnold, president of Geospiza, Inc. "Despite a sizable deficit, the reality is Washington can't afford not to invest in the critical building blocks of our 21st century economy."
Read more about the Technology Alliance's 2009 policy priorities and download our complete Washington State Innovation Policy Toolkit here.
Verdiem CEO Jeremy Jaech Takes the Helm at the TA, Welcomes Bill McAleer of Voyager Capital and WBBA President Chris Rivera
Experienced entrepreneur and technologist Jeremy Jaech began a two-year term as chair of the Technology Alliance board in January. Jaech, currently CEO of PC power management software developer Verdiem, is committed to working with our volunteers, partners and policy leaders to advance Washington's long-term competitiveness.
One of Jaech's first duties in his new role was to welcome the latest additions to the TA's roster of dedicated, visionary leaders: Bill McAleer, managing director at Voyager Capital, and Chris Rivera, president of the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.
Calling All Northwest Angels: Join AoA for the 2009 Angel Capital Association Regional Meeting
The national organization of angel investor groups, the Angel Capital Association, will convene its Northwest meeting in Seattle on February 24th. Accredited investors from throughout Washington and the surrounding region are invited to join host Alliance of Angels to discuss trends in angel investing and to participate in a special workshop offering tips for lead investors.
Searching for Knowledge? Look No Further than the Science & Technology Discovery Series!
The Technology Alliance is pleased to welcome Brian Bershad, site director for Google's Seattle research and development office, on March 13th - the latest in a fascinating lineup of speakers featured at our breakfast program that brings you up close and personal with researchers from Washington's preeminent institutions and innovative companies.
Important Dates
- March 3
- Alliance of Angels 10 Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 - 4:30 pm
- Seattle
- March 13
- Seattle Discovery Series: Brian Bershad, Google
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Seattle
- March 20
- Spokane Discovery Series: Suzanne Lindsey, Recodagen
- 7:30 - 9:00 am
- Spokane
- April 7
- Alliance of Angels 10 Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 - 4:30 pm
- Seattle
- April 17
- Seattle Discovery Series: Peter Ward, University of Washington Department of Earth & Space Sciences
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Seattle
