EDPro's list of the best innovators of 2004 Saturday, January 01, 2005 Here's a review of the best developments of 2004. Leading states: Pennsylvania: for a range of initiatives including the Keystone Innovation Zones, a manufacturing initiative, and "growing greener" initiative, a new angel investor program, and a serious effort at state tax reform Michigan: for "Cool Ciites" initiative, support for the tool and die industry, an interesting initiative to connect foundations to economic development, and an effort to streamline state permitting. South Carolina: for serious efforts to develop a new model of economic development based on knowledge businesses, a new initiative on health research, an emerging strategy to coordinate tech schools, and the new research campus at the University of South Carolina. Honorable mentions: Minnesota: for the innovative role its foundations have taken in economic development and its e-commerce certification program Louisiana: for making progress on a serious economic development strategy, arguably for the first time in state history Arkansas: for examining the role of higher education in the state's economic development. Texas: for its innovative deal with Texas Instruments in Dallas West Virginia: for its grid computing initiative Ohio: for its Third Frontier network Georgia: for its certification program to promote entrepreneurship networks in communities Leading regions Research Triangle: for developing a new strategy to carry it to the next level of development Triad region in North Carolina: for finally coming together to act as a region Western North Carolina: for building strong innovation and entrepreneurship networks Capital Region in New York: for continuing to build the foundations for a knowledge-based economy Leading cities Philadelphia: for its efforts to build a stronger region, encourage innovation, and build networks to retain students Kalamazoo: for its efforts to build an innovation and entreprneurship network Leading international network innovations Fairfax County: for its connections to Indian and Israel Iowa: for exploring connections in New Zealand in biosciences Hampton Roads: for connecting with Bremen, Germany Tucson: for building connections to Canada Triad region and the vice chancellor for research and economic development at North Carolina A&T: for developing research alliances with Indian Institute of Technology, the leading technology university in India 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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