Tech Valley Community College a Step Closer to Securing Federal ‘Green’ Funding
July 23, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that a Senate Appropriations subcommittee has approved a $250,000 award for the Fulton-Montgomery Community College to expand its Center for Engineering and Technology.
Due to the growing green tech industry in Tech Valley, emphasis has been put on the need for green tech-oriented curricula in local centers of higher learning, FMCC being no exception. If approved in the final budget, the $250,000 grant is to be specifically geared toward cultivating a new curriculum that focuses on alternative and renewable energy.
Dustin Swanger, the president of FMCC, said that this year’s money is going to be used to purchase fuel cells, biofuels, and photovoltaic cells. While a third straight year of funding in support of green tech education at FMCC would be hugely beneficial to the institution as a learning center, it also will help students prepare for careers in the ultra-competitive high-tech industry.
Arsenal partnership gets a new CEO
June 25, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
The Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, a non-profit development organization comprised of regional business, education, and government leaders, have announced that Peter Gannon, former director of ops for Colonie, will succeed Tony Gaetano as CEO of the organization. Gaetano will enter semi-retirement as CEO of the partnership’s new subsidiary branch, Arsenal EUL, which will require two-days of work per week.
The partnership oversees a six-million dollar budget and partners with a number of groups, from University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to the Center for Economic Growth.
NBC New York Saratoga Article Promotes Major County Effort
June 22, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out NBC New York reporter Courtney Humiston’s article called, “Forget the Beach: The Real Action is in Saratoga.” Even just hearing the title makes me grin!
One of the things we’re striving for is building a national presence for Saratoga County. Stories like this that balance out the tech boom stories really move the needle forward. While this obviously focuses on Manhattanites, long term it can attract families and entrepreneurs with its visual image of the quality of life and prosperous opportunity.
I would have liked to see someone representing Saratoga County quoted in the piece – but I guess you can’t always get what you want. As I mentioned above though, even with the focus on Manhattan tourists, I like to believe this will resonate with someone who will move their NY-based start up here – to offer our technology community another resource and to give their families a superb quality of life.
I’m not sure if this story was pitched or self-inspired (I’ve written the reporter to ask) but here are the elements that round out the piece:
1. Historical perspective demonstrates longevity for the area
2. Talks about the very seasonal aspects to our fair City and the year-round events.
3. Highlights big brands that are here – NYC Ballet, Live Nation.
4. While yes, it capitalizes on the arts and touches on the ghosts of New York’s past circulating the Saratoga Racetrack, it also hits on Saratoga Water – which is one of the brands right in our backyard that is widely recognized.
At heart, from a PR person’s perspective, the story is so favorable to Saratoga it almost feels like a “pay for play.” But in this case, I don’t care. Well done whoever helped round this story out and thanks for a well-targeted piece that aids our efforts.
Tech Valley IFMA opens its doors, Global Foundries announces further expansion plans – but not where you might think
June 18, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
Attention Tech Valley facility managers! The Albany chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) opened its doors this week – the first domestic chapter to do so since 2005. The branch, led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s President, Oleh Turczak, already boasts thirty-five members. As written in its bylaws, IFMA’s mission is to “promote the facility management profession and to highlight educational opportunities available to members.”
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After revealing that they would increase the size of its Malta factory earlier this month, GlobalFoundries this week announced further expansion plans – this time with its eye on building a tech “cluster” in its home country of Abu Dhabi. Don’t worry though, the government-owned Advanced Technology Investment Co. (ATIC), which owns the semi-conductor giant, stated that the announcement would in no way preclude construction here at Fab 8. What it will do, said ATIC’s CEO Ibrahim Ajami, is mark GlobalFoundries’ “first steps in establishing a world-class advanced technology cluster over the coming years.”
Bloomberg adds Chief Digital Officer to administration
June 7, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
New York might be a little behind the times, and following in the footsteps of the Obama campaign, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Hopefully this position will help mitigate the murky waters of social media and address resident’s concerns more quickly. By the way, kinda got a chuckle over the salary range. That’s quite the range.
Now hiring: Chief Digital Officer
The Mayor’s office has announced that it is looking to hire a Chief Digital Officer, a new post the Bloomberg administration hopes will unify the city’s efforts to communicate its messages and hear from residents via social media and the Web.
The full job description and information on how to apply can be found here (PDF). This a great opportunity for a tech-savvy New Yorker who is hungry to apply their vision and experience to enhancing the City’s presence on the Web, expand interactions between New Yorkers and their government, and bring innovative ideas to making city government more efficient.
The Wall Street Journal writes:
If you’re a Twitter, Foursquare or Facebook geek, New York City wants you.
Mayor Bloomberg likes to talk about bringing his experience in the business world to running the city, and there are many media and other companies with chief digital officer posts, including Ogilvy & Mather, the Washington Post Co. and News Corp., publisher of The Wall Street Journal.
“It’s definitely inspired by some of the best practices in business,” said Todd Asher, chief operating officer for NYC Media, the radio, TV and online network for New York City.
Asher said he didn’t know of any local or state governments with chief digital officer posts, but he said New York could start a trend. “We think this is a model other cities would want to adopt.”
Some city agencies have had digital outreach success stories already. The Health Department got more than 15,000 online votes for a contest to redesign the official NYC Condom. The Department of Parks & Recreation has a popular Facebook page linking news and events at city parks. The city believes having one person to oversee digital outreach will significantly improve how residents and city government talk to each other.
The job pays between $57,000-$125,000, and the description says the city seeks someone “to help develop forward-thinking policies on social media, digital communications, web 2.0 initiatives and other tools to better serve the public.” Asher said the new chief digital officer should be a good communicator to coordinate among city agencies, and someone with an “entrepreneurial spirit.” The new CDO will report to Katherine Oliver, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES – Keynote at SEMI West
May 6, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
Our new neighbors at GlobalFoundries are keynoting SEMICON West this year, taking place in July 2010. Looks like Thomas Sonderman, vice president, manufacturing systems and technology will serve as an executive panelist and Senior Vice President of Process Technology, Research and Development, Gregg Bartlett will have his own keynote.
We’re hoping to blog from the event this year…and of course escape to San Francisco.
Thursday at Three: New App May Retire “Cash Only”; Palm Bought Out by HP; Google’s Exit from China Leaves Plenty of Room for Baidu
April 29, 2010 | Thursday at Three, Today's Headlines | 1 Comments
New App May Retire “Cash Only”
Ever dined out with friends only to notice the “cash only” sign after you’ve sat down for your meal? Thankfully, most of us have that friend more than willing to pony up the cash in exchange for an IOU. Happily, a new app may make these awkward moments a thing of the past.
There are several companies, including Apple, currently developing apps that would allow a consumer to make a purchase by credit card over a smartphone. In fact, with PayPal’s cellphone app, a transfer can be made simply by touching two phones together. The idea is exciting for both consumers and small business owners, the vast majority of whom who would be more than willing to accept credit cards if it were affordable.
As someone who only carries plastic, I know that makes me happy.
Palm bought out by HP
Total cost: $1.2 billion. That is the price HP paid to acquire Palm, a mobile products company struggling to stay afloat since October, when their shares began their downward spiral. As of yet, no one knows HP’s reasoning, but webOS users can be best assured (for the time being) that palm isn’t going anywhere.
Google’s exit from China leaves plenty of room for Baidu
Since the announcement that Google was pulling out of China, Baidu has done its best to take full advantage and fill the void as the number one leading internet search company. In just the 1st quarter alone, Baidu took hold of 64 percent of China’s internet search market, and predictions are that that number could climb to 70 percent in the second quarter. Meanwhile, company profits continue to stream in at a steady rate with no end in sight.
Nothing like taking advantage of a little censorship and political oppression, huh?
Apple’s Anonymity ‘Glitch ‘
April 20, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
Just in case you missed it, Apple reversed course today and approved Mark Fiore’s political satire app, Newstoons, for sale in the iPhone store.
This was not unexpected, especially after Lauren McGann of the Nieman Journalism Lab let it slip that Apple had rejected the Pulitzer Prize winning online journalist’s app on the grounds that it ‘ridiculed public officials’. This was, of course, prior to learning that he was famous. Apple CEO Steve Jobs was quick to spin the rejection as a ‘glitch.‘
Good for Fiore. I enjoy his cartoons and I’ll download Newstoons within the next couple days. However, I take a bit of offense to Job’s characterization. I, for one, never thought not being famous was a ‘glitch’.
-Mike
In case you missed it, Gizmodo and TechCrunch on the new iPhone
April 19, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 0 Comments
Exclusively from Gizmodo
Looks like $10,000 and maybe a drunk night in a San Jose bar could lead to you scooping Apple and starting rumors on the design of the new iPhone.
Check out TechCrunch and Gizmodo’s coverage here.
Working towards growth and balance: SEDC marketing
March 31, 2010 | Today's Headlines | 1 Comments
If you have a chance today, check out how SEDC is marketing Saratoga County and the surrounding areas. A good balance between life, corporate giants and organic, locally funded start-ups.
The message regarding a good work life balance supports the interests of companies moving to the area, but also suggests that this is the wave of the future for corporate culture. Lifestyle is the new stock option, right?
Cities like Austin, Raleigh, the Twin-Cities and Salt Lake City have all become mini-Silicon Valley-like places. Michael Miller was a bit skeptical that Tech Valley would follow in those footsteps, but of course you know I like to think different.
Check out the video and be sure to follow @ScoutDamon on Twitter, check out SEDC’s Facebook Page and LinkedIn Group. You can hear news regarding growth in the area there first.