Science & Technology and Other Projects

Project: Technology Platform Opportunity Plans for Black Hills, South Dakota Region

Client: Black Hills Vision

Battelle has been engaged by Black Hills Vision, a group of influential business leaders that are seeking to enhance the knowledge-based economy in their region, to survey the technology and infrastructure assets in the region and ascertain the technology opportunities that are present. The analysis will include undertaking a quantitative and qualitative technology assessment of key inventory assets, and identifying technology platforms on which to develop Strategic Roadmaps that will identify the potential for economic growth and development.

Project: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology

Client: Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc.

Battelle was engaged by Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc to assist Connecticut in its planning and design of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), which had been recently formed to establish a national center of excellence to pursue (1) the next generation of technological systems for both military and civilian applications as well as (2) overall technological innovation, collaboration, and education for Connecticut. Battelle prepared a detailed analysis of Connecticut's industry position in a wide range of technology areas, such as power and propulsion, advanced materials, fuel cells and alternative energy, photonics, sensors and controls, biotechnology and medical devices. This involved development of a unique relational database of innovative companies found in Connecticut. Battelle also identified leading centers of excellence found around the nation in selected areas of technology to assist in the strategic planning efforts of CCAT.

Project: Positioning Arizona and its Research Universities: Science and Technology Core Competences Assessment

Client: Arizona Department of Commerce

Battelle worked with the Arizona Department of Commerce to identify the state’s existing research and development base in several areas, complementing work Battelle completed for the Flinn Foundation in the biosciences. This effort enabled Arizona’s leaders to identify the technology cluster areas of opportunity on which to grow, expand, and recruit the state’s future economic base.

Project: Sustainable Systems Investment Prospectus

Client: Arizona Department of Commerce

Following on the work Battelle performed to identify technology core competencies, in association with the State of Arizona, Battelle developed an investment prospectus for sustainable systems that takes into account the need to begin now to create the mechanisms and infrastructure needed to develop and embrace this emerging industry. The overarching goals of the prospectus were to document the state’s significant existing university and industry asset base, to fully understand its unique niches and potential, and to chart a course which can ultimately propel Arizona into a leadership position in sustainable development—one that can be appropriately leveraged in economic development. Finally, the prospectus details the near, mid, and longer term public and private investments that can make Arizona a leader in this next technology wave.

Project: Observations and Suggestions: Strategic Planning for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeast Pennsylvania

Client: Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) Centers—Pennsylvania

Battelle developed a strategy to reposition the four Ben Franklin Technology Partners Centers. The ten-year strategy is intended to help the BFTP Centers better assist industry and increase focus on in-depth entrepre­neurship services. The strategy outlined important actions and responsi­bilities for an improved partnership between the BFTP Centers and the State. The study includes performance measures adopted by Pennsylvania to measure future success of the program.

Project: Opportunities for Advancing Science and Technology at Butler University for the 21^st Century

Client: Butler University

Battelle was retained by Butler University in Indianapolis to assess the current status of their science and technology programs and how they relate to industry linkages in the region. Battelle explored ways to improve existing science and technology academic programs at the university and examined ways these programs could add value to the local business community. Local stakeholders, through extensive interviews and focus group meetings, provided an assessment of the current status of industry-university linkages and identified potential ways to strengthen these relationships.

Project: A Prospectus for Economic Clusters: Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Information Technology; Nurturing Central Indiana’s Pillar Industries for 21st Century Midwestern Pre-Eminence

Client: Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP)

Battelle worked with the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership to develop an economic cluster-based Prospectus for Central Indiana, an area covering 15 counties. The four clusters of focus identified included life sciences; information technology; advanced manufacturing; and transportation, distribution, and logistics. Implementation of the strategy began prior to completion of the project because of the high degree of consensus developed among the stakeholders in industry, higher education, and the public sector. Philanthropic interests and the state government already fund several of the actions.

Project: Accelerating the University Innovation Engine: Building Indiana’s Knowledge-Based Economy through Investments in Higher Education.

Client: Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP)

Battelle was engaged by CICP to prepare a case statement focused on building Indiana’s knowledge-based economy through investments in higher education. The Case Statement documented the role played by research universities in creating and supporting knowledge-based economies, and recommended actions that the State of Indiana might take to accelerate the transition of its economy from traditional manufacturing to one of knowledge based industries. The report was distributed widely to members of the Indiana legislature, which at the time was considering legislation to increase the state’s investment in higher education and research. Subsequently, the legislation has been enacted.

Project: State Science and Technology Strategic Planning in the United States

Client: Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

In 1996, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded a review of state science and technology strategic planning in the United States. The State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) conducted the study. SSTI contracted with Battelle for project management and analytical support. The study required 1) identifying best practices in science and technology strategic planning; 2) determining how states are addressing the needs of distressed areas in their strategic planning initiatives; and 3) recommending ways in which states and the federal government could leverage science and technology investments to benefit distressed areas. Battelle staff analyzed state economic development programs initiated between 1991 and 1995, interviewed senior state policymakers, and prepared case studies. Battelle staff also identified “best practices” and prepared the final report.

Project: Vibrant Culture – Thriving Economy: Arts, Culture, and Prosperity in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun

Client: Flinn Foundation, The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, J.W. Kieckhefer Foundation, and the Margaret T. Morris Foundation.

Battelle was engaged by four prominent foundations in the Phoenix metropolitan area to provide technical assistance to a regional task force on arts and culture. Battelle assisted the task force in examining factors contributing to the quality of life, and supported the task force’s efforts to develop an action plan for the arts and culture sector. Specifically, Battelle helped make a business case for arts and culture in the region; assisted the task force in securing public input and engagement of community leadership; prepared the Maricopa Regional Arts and Culture Strategy; and supported the strategy’s roll-out and dissemination.

Project: The Idaho Science and Technology Strategy

Client: Idaho’s Governor’s Council on Science and Technology Policy Development

Battelle assisted the Idaho Governor’s Council on Science and Technology in developing a statewide strategy to grow Idaho’s technology-based economy in 2000. In 2001, the state legislature provided initial funding to create an Idaho Science and Technology Corporation, a key recommendation of the strategy. Battelle then assisted the state with various implementation issues, such as benchmarking the intellectual property policies of the Idaho Board of Education, conducting an assessment of the state’s EPSCoR program, and advising the Department of Commerce on the design of the Idaho Science and Technology Corporation.

Project: Science and Technology Strategy Updated and Action Plan 2004: Moving Forward Accelerating Idaho‘s Innovation Economy

Client: Idaho’s Governor’s Council on Science and Technology Policy Development

Battelle is working to update the original strategy it developed for Idaho’s Governor’s Council on Science and Technology Policy Development in 2000. Battelle’s will complete an Action Plan for Implementing Idaho’s Science and Technology Strategy. The Action Plan will include an assessment of the changes that have taken place in Idaho’s research and technology base during the last four years, an analysis identifying the research strengths around which the state can build its future technology industry clusters, and recommended actions to implement the strategy.

Project: Supporting High Technology Industry Associations of Greater Indianapolis

Client: City of Indianapolis High Technology Task Force

Battelle assisted the Mayor’s High Technology Task Force in developing a cost-effective program to induce the creation of technology-based jobs in Indianapolis. Battelle provided background information on technology development initiatives of other cities, analyzed the technology assets of Indianapolis/Marion County and recommended a framework for an Indianapolis technology initiative. Battelle also completed two projects funded by the City of Indianapolis. The projects included helping two industry associations develop competitiveness strategies, or road maps, for their industries in the State, and design an eminent scholars program in cooper­ation with universities and the State.

Project: Strategic Framework for the John Carroll Collaborative with Industry

Client: John Carroll University

Battelle assisted John Carroll University in the development of a strategic framework for the John Carroll Collaborative with Industry (JCCI). The project consisted of a benchmarking analysis of best practices among collaboratives in the U.S. and abroad; an economic analysis that identified strengths and emerging opportunities in the region’s current economic base that could provide a foundation for building a university/industry partnership; a core competency analysis that determined the areas and strengths of both academe and industry on which to build. The project then identified the strategies and actions necessary to further strengthen and build JCCI.

Project: Kentucky Strategic Technology-Based Economic Development Plan

Client: Kentucky Science and Technology Council

Battelle assisted the Kentucky Science and Technology Council in preparing a strategic technology plan for the State of Kentucky based on the input of a broad variety of organizations, industry, and others important to both planning and implementation of the plan. The strategy has been announced and has received the support of the Governor and various members of the Kentucky Legislature, including $55 million in appropriations to implement the strategy.

Project: Transitioning to a Knowledge Economy: Upstate New York’s Economic Development Roadmap

Client: Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York, Inc. (MDA).

Battelle was engaged by MDA to assist in formulating a regional economic development strategy. The study examined the region’s economy, validating current clusters and identifying new or emerging clusters upon which to build the region’s economic base in the future. A set of strategies and concrete actions were identified that the private and public sectors can undertake to foster economic development in the region. Battelle is now assisting MDA in their efforts to implement the strategy throughout the region.

Project: Millennium Center for Convergent Technologies: An Economic Opportunity for Long Island

Client: Millennium Centers Consortium

The Millennium Centers Consortium, an organization that includes Long Island’s research institutions and leading technology companies, engaged Battelle to assist with the conceptual design for a Millennium Center for Convergent Technologies. The Millennium Center initiative seeks to improve Long Island’s research capabilities and leverage the region’s strengths in biosciences, electronics, and information technology.

Project: Summary Technology Profile for the Nevada Commission on Economic Development

Client: The Nevada Commission on Economic Development

Battelle worked with the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, the University and Community College System of Nevada, and the Office of the Governor to develop a Technology Strategy for the State. It analyzed the emerging Nevada technology economy and developed five strategies and thirty-three action recommendations focusing on developing technology-based economic development activities; enhancing research, development, and industry partnering roles within the university system; initiating workforce develop­ment programs; accelerating the growth of the entrepreneurial technology economy; creating a permanent organization to implement and operate the overall strategy; and increasing university and industry partnering with Nevada-based federal R&D facilities. Since its completion, several of the recommendations are being implemented and others are in process.

Project: Tech New York: A Framework for Public/Private Action

Client: The Speaker of the Council of the City of New York

Battelle worked with the Industrial Technology Assistance Center and the City Council of New York to develop and complete a technology strategy for the City. The project included an economic analysis, interviews, focus groups, and development of both a framework and set of short and mid-term strategies and actions to build on the City’s assets in technology and a significant existing customer base.

Project: Assessing the Economic Impact of the Edison Technology Centers

Client: Ohio Edison Technology Centers

Ohio’s Edison Technology Centers were established to support public/private partnerships that strengthen and diversify the economy of Ohio through the promotion of technological innovation. Their performance has been evaluated several times in the years since their inception; however, this study was the first examination of the impact of the centers on the Ohio economy. Battelle analyzed the centers’ economic impacts from several perspectives including their impacts on the economy, company competitiveness, job savings and retention, personal income, company sales, state tax collections, and funds leveraging.

Project: Analysis of NASA Glenn’s Potential as an Engine for Northeast Ohio’s Economic Development

Client: Ohio Aerospace Council

Battelle was engaged by the Ohio Aerospace Council to assess and develop a strategy for making NASA Glenn more of an economic engine for Northeastern Ohio. Components of the project included benchmarking, identification of potential firms for partnering, gap analysis, focus groups, and preparation of an overall positioning strategy. The strategy was designed to better leverage the NASA Glenn Research Center as a significant anchor for economic growth and development in the region and state.

Project: OARDC Positioning Strategy: A Development Path for the Future

Client: Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)

OARDC engaged Battelle to assess opportunities to increase the Center’s collaboration with industry. The project analyzed the region’s opportunities and inventoried both OARDC and the private sector’s strengths and opportunities upon which to build sustained partnerships between the Center and industry. The strategy provided mechanisms to help position OARDC to better leverage its resources and assets to promote joint projects and other collaborative endeavors including a conceptualized research park. Battelle also provided an assessment of OARDC's overall economic impact on the State of Ohio, and the specific ways in which the Center brings benefits to the state and its communities. Specifically, the economic impact of the Center was measured in terms of monetary and employment benefits generated, both directly and indirectly, by OARDC's operations. The impact assessment also analyzed the economic benefits that occurred through various OARDC-related mechanisms, including: research, technical and practice innovations, technology transfer, workforce and practitioner development, and community service.

Project: An Ohio Technology-Based Economic Development Strategy

Client: Ohio Department of Development

Project: Building Technology Networks for Regional Economic Competitiveness: Western Massachusetts Regional Technology Audit and Network Identification Assessment

Client: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Battelle assisted in the creation of a Regional Technology Alliance, working with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and local economic development organizations. Battelle helped to identify key technology areas found in the region’s economic base and the most likely opportunities for forming technology networks and collaborations to improve the region’s economic competitiveness. Battelle undertook a core competency analysis of the region’s economic base, identified and profiled possible industry networks and facilitated industry focus groups to assess the potential. Based on these findings, Battelle developed an initial agenda and work plan for each of the potential technology networks. Battelle also identified key strategic initiatives that the university could undertake to relate more closely to the development of these technology networks. A National Science Foundation Partnerships in Innovation grant supports the implementation of the Regional Technology Alliance, and Battelle is continuing to serve as an advisor in the implementation of the technology networks and the development of the Regional Technology Alliance. To date, two active industry networks have been launched and numerous commercialization initiatives are proceeding.

Project: Assessment of University of Missouri Research and Technology Plans and Strategies

Client: The University of Missouri–Columbia

Battelle assisted the University of Missouri in developing a Master Plan for research. The study included a strategy for improving the University’s stature and reputation through strengthening its research programs, improving university-industry cooperative research and revamping of the university’s technology transfer and industrial liaison functions. An implementation plan to achieve the Master Plan was provided to the University as well.

Project: Massachusetts Technology Road Map and Strategic Alliances Study

Client: Mass Insight Corporation

Battelle assisted the Science and Technology Initiative of Mass Insight Corporation, a broad-based consortium of leading business, university and economic development organizations. Working with Mass Insight, Battelle developed a technology road map for Massachusetts. The study assessed core technology focus areas found in Massachusetts and identified potential strategic alliances between public and private universities, teaching hospitals, and industry where Massachusetts is positioned to take a leadership position in research, development, commercialization, and company creation. The report also included recommendations for guiding the state’s future investments in science and research.