State and International Incentives and the Bioeconomy
DOWNLOADMay 31, 2006 - William A Knudson
Print
EmailIntroduction
This paper attempts to outline the major state and university bioeconomy initiatives throughout the U.S. and in several foreign countries. Every state is involved in developing and encouraging the bioeconomy in some form or another. For example, 44 states have either completed or in the process of constructing bioscience research and development facilities (Battelle, p.38). A primary resource of information for this report is a Battelle Technology Partnership Practice and SSTI study: Growing the Nation’s Business Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006 (Battelle), as well as information gathered at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s annual meeting held in April of 2006 in Chicago.
International initiatives will also be analyzed. This is due to several reasons, some countries such as Canada and Australia have programs similar to the U.S., provincial, state and territorial governments have levels of autonomy similar to states in the U.S. European countries, especially those in the European Union (EU), also resemble U.S. states insofar as they operate in a unified economic zone and in many cases their populations are no greater than many U.S. states.
The information in this paper is not likely to be complete. Individual business development programs, tax abatements and subsidies may not be captured. The units of government themselves have provided this information and are likely to cast their programs in their best light. Also, individual business development or subsidy programs may be tailored specifically to an individual firm interested in locating in a specific location and would not be captured in this analysis.
There are two phrases that are often included in business promotion literature: skilled workforce and world class universities. Unless specific areas of expertise are mentioned by governments, general slogans or assertions will be ignored. It appears that workers and universities around the world suffer from a “Lake Wobegon” effect, they all are above average.
