A note from RIEDC Executive Director Saul Kaplan
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June 27, 2008 | Print this page | Share This | Email this page
Top 10 ranking in Milken Report confirms that Rhode Island is creating a 21st century innovation economy that will produce higher wage jobs for Rhode Islanders
Last week, the Milken Institute’s State Technology and Science Index confirmed that Rhode Island has made progress in its effort to become a regional and national hub for science, technology and innovation. Milken’s Index uses a variety of indicators to measure how well each state is performing in today’s global knowledge-based economy.
It was exciting to learn that we have broken in to the top 10 for the first time. Building our innovation capacity is central to creating a globally competitive economy that provides good, high-wage jobs for Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island has a strong foundation to build upon and we must continue to support companies and grow jobs in sectors of our economy that are well positioned to take advantage of our state’s strong position in the Northeast knowledge corridor.
The Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) has played an important role in enabling the state’s move in to the top 10 on the Milken Index. Since its creation in 2005, STAC has focused on making innovation central to the state’s leadership agenda, attracting additional federal R&D investment into Rhode Island and enhancing the state’s technology-related economic development opportunities. I am particularly grateful to STAC’s co-chairs Clyde Briant from Brown University and Jeff Seemann from the University of Rhode Island. STAC is continuing to build innovation capacity with the creation of a statewide Research Alliance which will improve our ability to turn R&D activity into jobs and income for Rhode Island.
Today’s tough economic times only strengthen our resolve to accelerate Rhode Island’s transition to a 21st century innovation economy. There is a lot of work ahead but it is encouraging to see the results from the Milken Report and to know that we are making progress toward a stronger more prosperous economy that will produce higher wage job opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
Read the Milken Institute Report
Saul Kaplan
Executive Director, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
