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Local 'ecosystem' will give birth to new jobs

October 29, 2010 12:35 am

JOB CREATION and eco- nomic growth are on most people's minds these days, and for good reason. Much of the nation is facing 10 percent unemployment, and Americans are uneasy about their future. In Stafford, we have fared much better, with business and job growth holding steady. But make no mistake, we still face challenges in this recent national recession.

Stafford County, MTCSC Inc., and other companies believe that new approaches to job creation must be implemented if we are to achieve the economic progress that our region needs. This means using the local talent--who begin the Interstate 95 crawl to Washington, D.C., every morning--by employing them locally in high-paying jobs. We are committed to this goal and are working on ways to make it a reality.

In a recent BusinessWeek article, "How to Build an American Job," Andy Grove, former chairman and CEO of Intel, said job growth will come through "an effective ecosystem in which technological know-how accumulates, experience builds on experience, and close relationships develop between supplier and customer."

In essence, one need only look at the success of the Research Triangle in Raleigh-Durham or the New Mexico Technology Corridor for examples of this. A successful public-private partnership brings government, academia, and industry together to conduct massive research and develop-ment, innovate new technologies, and create new, high-paying jobs.

Grove's concept of an economic ecosystem makes sense--especially for Stafford. With our talented work force and thriving academic institutions, our area is well-suited for the start of this ecosystem, and for real 21st-century economic growth. Working together, we believe this can happen.

TALENT AND INNOVATION

The Economic Development Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce is working with localities across America to make these economic ecosystems a reality. They have identified the elements needed for these efforts to flourish.

The first is a talent pool that is identifiable and active. A region must be able to identify the expertise in the area, and gauge its availability. Stafford County is already doing this by collectively working with the University of Mary Washington through a program called the Stafford Workforce Educational Partnership, which started with business focus group sessions earlier this year. This helps to identify the region's academic needs and targets the anticipated demand for tomorrow's workforce skills, while enabling the region to be increasingly competitive in the global marketplace.

Second is the need for innovation infrastructure that make up these research and technology corridors. Cutting-edge facilities like MTCSC's Center for Technology (C4T) and other buildings and facilities throughout our region are examples of what is needed. This infrastructure creates the platform necessary for business development and job creation, and creates a snowball effect that over time turns into a community of researchers, academics, investors, entrepreneurs, and suppliers. Collaborative public-private partnerships, linking Stafford County, institutions of higher education, and private sector companies such as MTCSC, will play a pivotal role in developing this infrastructure.

Finally, a support system is needed where business incubation programs and research and development hubs can turn the research, innovation, and technology advancements into marketable goods and services. This will entice high growth entrepreneurs and further attract private sector investment into the region.

THE POTENTIAL IS THERE

The Stafford County region has great potential to meet these three criteria, and is poised--with companies such as MTCSC--to flourish in the areas of science and technology. They can and will play a role in the future of Stafford County. We are committed to seeing a science and technology ecosystem develop in our region, and are working to make this happen.

Jobs are not created in the same way they were decades ago. In a global economy, where competing nations often play by different rules, public-private partnerships are key to economic growth and transformation in this new economy. Our region stands to benefit from efforts that bring collaborative public and private industry together working toward mutual interests.

Looking forward, Stafford County, MTCSC, and academia will be announcing exciting new advancements to make this goal a reality. With the support of locally elected officials and committed individuals in government, industry, and academia, our area can witness significant job growth that will benefit the people who already call this region home. The difference is that soon they will be able to trade in a two-hour commute for more time with their families, and to invest in their community.

A science and technology ecosystem in our region could play a vital role in the economic health of our area, and create opportunities for economic revitalization that improves quality of life for all. We are excited about this prospect, and look forward to exploring the many opportunities that lie ahead.

Mark Dudenhefer is chairman of Stafford County Board of Supervisors. John Roehl is vice president of technical solutions with MTCSC.