Assessing Ohio´s Edison technology program: lessons for the future

Summary form only given. The Thomas Edison Technology Center Program in Ohio is a collaborative effort between business, government and academe designed to assist technology-based enterprises. Embedded within this program are seven R&D centers scattered across the state-each with its own specialized field and approach to assisting technology development. These fields include such areas as polymers, welding, biotech, and materials design. The most recent assessment concluded the program has provided millions of dollars in benefits to the state´s economy. In the past 20 years, the program has received numerous accolades that cite it as a program others should emulate. One of the strengths of the Edison Program-the unique nature of each center-is also one of the reasons that assessment is somewhat difficult. This uniqueness is derived from three factors. The first is that each center is based on a particular industry. The second factor is the configuration of the center. Administrative R&D centers have a relatively small staff involved in coordinating research projects being conducted at research sites scattered across its membership. Finally, it is important to realize that each center has major constituents with potentially divergent interests. The state founded this program as an economic development engine and therefore is concerned with job creation and a healthy tax base