The Washington Economic Development Commission (www.wedc.wa.gov) is testing its innovation strategy with local communities. The WEDC approach is to build the innovation economy from the ground up by collaborating with local communities to accelerate their innovation objectives. "Innovation cannot be commanded from the center," said WEDC executive director Egils Milbergs, "it must be inspired and enabled at the edge." The first beta was launched March 24 in Spokane when business, academic and civic leaders were convened by Rich Hadley, president and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated Link: www.greaterspokane.org. Utilizing a highly interactive discussion format the group articulated Spokane's vision for being a regional medical center for the future.
Some highlights and priorities from the Spokane forum:
- Bolstering the Spokane Riverpoint Campus including four year schools for medical, dental, pharmacy and public health education. The local leadership is advocating for the acceleration of the Biomedical & Health Sciences building within the State's higher education capital program. http://www.riverpointcampus.org/
- INHS - Inland Northwest Health Services in Spokane is one of the nation's best models for the electronic medical record that the Obama Administration is advocating and funding. Spokane is a leader in health information technology which is a priority within the stimulus funding. INHS sponsors a national conference on bioinformatics
Spokane has four institutes related to the health sciences: Institute for Systems Medicine, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Institute of Shock Physics Applied Sciences Lab (ASL) and a prominent mental health program.
- Sirti is a Washington State economic development agency that focuses on accelerating the development and growth of innovative technology-based companies for health related devices and software in the Inland Northwest. Entrepreneurial based start-ups and high growth companies can access business coaching and support, tap into the Sirti Technology Growth Fund and SBIR grant expertise, or locate their companies in the Sirti incubation facilities.
- On-going development and recruitment of talent in the health professions and allied health is a top priority. Community Colleges of Spokane is a key partner in allied health programs. Corporate Site - Community Colleges of Spokane There is a possible stimulus funding for a Health Science Academy in conjunction with seven K-12 school districts through the Spokane Area Skills Center.
- WSU Pullman, Tri-Cities and Spokane are a research and innovation triangle in the making and desire to explore opportunities.
- Additional discussions during the day focused on energy, advanced manufacturing, workforce development and aerospace as innovation sectors for the Spokane region.
The WEDC will integrate these ideas as part of the strategic plan update, communicate this vision and collaborate with Spokane's leadership to strengthen relationships for the region's innovation ecosystem. Similar innovation roadmapping forums are planned across the Washington state in the next two months. Check the WEDC website for schedule. www.wedc.wa.gov
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