RALEIGH, N.C., February 11, 2004 - The North Carolina Biotechnology Center today presented Gov. Mike Easley a strategic plan with 54 recommendations for growing the state's biotechnology industry and creating high-paying jobs.
"This strategic plan will help guide our state's biotechnology future as we focus on bringing high-quality jobs to benefit all North Carolinians," said Easley. "I appreciate all the hard work and effort that have gone into developing this thorough plan. With these recommendations, our state will build on its national leadership in biotechnology."
The plan, New Jobs Across North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Growing the Economy Statewide through Biotechnology, recommends 54 actions intended to:
- enhance the ability of universities to conduct innovative research and transform new ideas into commercial opportunity
- encourage universities to support and reward faculty entrepreneurial activities
- promote the creation and growth of biotechnology companies
- support the attraction, retention and expansion of biotechnology companies with an emphasis on biomanufacturing companies
- boost workforce training programs to prepare workers for jobs in research and biomanufacturing
- strengthen K-12 math and science education to help motivate and prepare future biotechnology workers
- spread the economic and societal benefits of biotechnology to all areas of the state
- address the societal and ethical issues of biotechnology research, development and application.
Many of the 54 strategies will require state investment over several years, while others will require commitment and action by partners in the state's biotechnology community.
The plan targets three immediate priorities for state investment:
- recruitment and expansion of biomanufacturing companies;
- creation and attraction of biotechnology start-up companies; and
- development of biotechnology throughout the state.
"We have worked hard to present Governor Easley with a comprehensive strategy for greater job creation and economic prosperity for years to come," said Leslie Alexandre, Dr. P.H., president and CEO of the Biotechnology Center. "Business, education and government leaders from all over the state put forth their best ideas for bringing the economic and societal benefits of biotechnology to people throughout North Carolina."
Easley charged the Biotechnology Center in June 2003 with developing a long-term strategic plan to help guide future state investments in biotechnology. Led by a steering committee co-chaired by former governors Jim Hunt and Jim Martin, more than 120 leaders from organizations throughout the state shared ideas for strengthening key areas essential to biotechnology development. Work group participants included state, regional, and local economic developers; private and public universities; community colleges; government agencies; large and small companies; venture capitalists; non-profit organizations such as the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization, the Small Business and Technology Development Center; and various public policy organizations.
The strategic plan is available on the Biotechnology Center's Web site at www.ncbiotech.org/biotechnology_in_nc/strategic_plan/index.html.
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is a state-supported, non-profit organization. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.
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Contact: Barry Teater, director of corporate communications, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 919-541-9366, or barry_teater@ncbiotech.org. Visit the Center's Web site at www.ncbiotech.org.
