Building education and research anchors in Charleston Thursday, May 01, 2003 I'm attending a technology conference in Charleston, South Carolina that is reviewing the state's progress in building an innovation-based economy. And the progress is impressive. Despite many fits and starts, South Carolina is moving ahead with some major policies to build a technology infrastructure. In addition to investments in life sciences, the state is consdiering new venture capital legislation and some significant reforms to build its research universities: Clemson, the University of South Carolina, and the Medical University of South Carolina. I'm particularly impressed with the Marine Environmental Health Research Laboratory (MEHRL). It represents a new model for collaborative research among research universities. MEHRL is a shared facility in which researchers are "co-located". So, for example, when you walk into a lab, the researchers might be from Clemson, USC, or somewhere else. These new models are important, because in the era of tight budgets, not every community can have comprehensive research universities. So, as an alternative, you have to be innovative to get the educational and research anchors you need. Today in the history of innovation... In 1895, an electric engine for passenger trains began regular service on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in Maryland...In 1909, the first of five generating units started operation in the power plant at the Minidoka Dam on the Snake River in Idaho. This was the first hydroelectric power plant to be built by the U.S. government. 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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