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 Camoin Associates and Innovation Policyworks partner for "Benchmarking the Rhode Island Knowledge Economy"
by Jim Damicis, Senior Vice President
The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) has released a new tool for measuring the development of the state's Knowledge Economy, entitled "Benchmarking the Rhode Island Knowledge Economy". Conducted by Camoin Associates and Innovation Policyworks over a period of six months, the report is the first step in measuring the state's progress in growing the Knowledge Economy. "What we have created is designed to establish a baseline from which Rhode Island businesses, policy makers and institutions can measure progress and track future development," said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. "This is important information that will allow us to understand what drives a strong Knowledge Economy and then organize our public policies and strategic investments around that information."
To read more about the results from this report or to download a full copy of the report, please click here.
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How MIT's Innovative IP Licensing System Creates Oversized Economic Results
by Michael N'dolo, Vice President
First, a very brief primer: Licensing of university property is an important form of technology transfer, i.e. the movement of knowledge and discoveries from academia to the general public. Universities that accept federal research dollars can patent intellectual property from that research and then license it to third parties for a fee and/or royalties.
Many universities see this as a welcome source of funding to support research or general operations. For over a decade, however, MIT's primary objective has been to view technology transfer as a public service and not a business. Its mission is to (a) foster commercial investment in the development of inventions and discoveries, and (b) through these investments, and the economic development and products that follow, provide direct benefit to public. We note the clear absence of the ideas of "maximization of profit".
To read more about what makes MIT's licensing system special, click here.
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The Met Council: Overcoming Rivalry to Plan Regionally
by Christa Franzi, Economic Development Specialist
The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis have a deep-rooted rivalry that still exists today. Yet, through the development of the Met Council, an agency serving the 7-county Twin Cities region, these very different areas joined together to address transportation, water, wastewater, conservation, and planning issues with great efficiency and achievement.
To read more about the history and function of the Met Council, please click here.
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Portland Maine's Economic Scorecard
by Alison Bates
Working with the Portland Maine Chamber of Commerce, Camoin Associates recently released the 2011 economic scorecard for the greater Portland region. The 2011 Scorecard served as the second update to the initial 2007 report.
The Scorecard measures the Portland region's 2011 standing on 32 economic indicators against the regions standing on these indicators in previous years, and against a group of benchmark regions that exhibit similar characteristics to Portland's. By looking at the change over the last year and over the last five years relative to the comparative geographies, the Scorecard provides an insight into how the region is performing as an economic engine.
To read about how Portland performed on these indicators or to download the full report, please click here.
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News from Camoin Associates
Rob Camoin Elected to Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) - "It is an honor to be elected to serve on the board of IEDC and I am committed to working hard to promote IEDC programs and services throughout the Northeast and to uphold the high standards of the economic development profession that has been established by this organization."
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Featured Indicator: National Assessment of Educational Progress Math Scores for 8th Graders - 2011
by Justin Gifford, Operations and Communications Manager
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. The above chart shows the top ten states for Math Scores in 2011. Massachusetts leads the pack with an average score of 299 on a scale of 0 to 500. The United States average was 284.
To read more about this indicator and download a file with results for all states, click on the graph above.
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