Michigan moves on "small tech"...but it's not alone Tuesday, March 11, 2003 Michigan is moving aggressively to establish a competititve position in "small tech" -- micro and nano technologies that are emerging as a new industry. "Small tech" involves devices so small that you cannot see them. The technologies range from "molecular machines" to MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems). Read a summary. Explore the field in more depth. Or, look a molecular pump. Yesterday, the Department of Economic development announced the launch of a new web site, Michigan Small Tech. It is produced in cooperation with Small Times. Explore this web site to see what the state is doing to build this cluster, beyond building a very high quality web site. For example, the the state has promoted the development of an industry association. The association, in turn, offers a Professional Service Provider Program (MPSPP) that connects small tech industry members with qualified vendors that are committed to small tech growth in Michigan. The vendors are encouraged to provide low, or no cost services. Michigan is not alone. Other regions are also moving in small tech. In addition to Michigan, Texas (Houston, Austin, San Antonio) and New York (Albany) are quick "out of the box". New Jersey is trying to leverage a Nanotech Consortium off Bell Labs. Traditional centers of electornics development -- California and Massachusetts -- are also involved. Here's an article on developments in Houston. In New England, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), a state-funded agency that supports technology industries, is working on the Massachusetts Nanotech Initiative. And, as I noted in an earlier post, Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council announced a major economic development initiative: a technology summit that will link together the mushrooming nanotech and infotech, and biomedical and biosciences sectors of the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor. In addition to a research base and business development networks, nanotechnology business development needs specially trained workers. At the end of the day, nanotechnology will happen where the work force is available. (That will include places like Singapore, as well as locations in the U.S.) posted by Ed Morrison |		This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. links Some Background on EDPro Weblog The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it. One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information. So, spread the word...Share the knowledge. Tell a friend about EDPro Weblog. If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site: Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber: Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking. Background on Ed Morrison Download some background information on me here.

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