The Sandia Science & Technology Park (SS&TP), a 300+ acre master-planned technology community affiliated with Sandia National Laboratories and adjacent to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM, announced the results of a biennial economic impact analysis that was completed by the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

According to the analysis, the SS&TP companies paid out $6.4 billion in wages and salaries; generated $3.1 billion worth of economic activity; and produced $147.4 million in tax revenue for New Mexico and $32 million for Albuquerque since the SS&TP was established in 1998. Read more.

AURP is cited in a new report from the non-profit Day One Project, titled Place-Based Public-Private Partnerships for Innovation (P4I).

The report was authored by Deborah Crawford, Jim Kurose, Mason Ailstock (AURP Past President) and Bob Geolas (former AURP Board Member).

This new report asserts that the "next administration should launch national Place-Based Public-Private Partnerships for Innovation (P4I) to supercharge American innovation by leveraging the power of proximity and partnerships, and in so doing, lay the foundation for a new and more inclusive era of American

prosperity."

The P4I initiative aims to catalyze the formation and growth of Innovation Zones (IZs) "creating powerful points of convergence that weave together place-based investments with educational, research, entrepreneurship, and economic supports to advance inclusive economic development from the American heartland to the coasts." Read more.

Oklahoma City Innovation District (which we're happy to report has joined AURP as a Sustaining Member) has announced a 400,000+ square-foot building development plan in the District’s core with construction to begin late this year.

The development - led by commercial real estate developers Mark Beffort, Robinson Park Investments, Richard Tanenbaum and Gardner Tanenbaum - features shared technology for 3D imaging and printing, biomedical research, laboratories, office space, a hotel, retail space, an open-air public realm and the proposed MAPS 4 funded Innovation Hall.

“The Innovation District is designed to be an epicenter for collaboration, innovation, opportunity and economic growth," said Katy Evans Boren, CEO with the Innovation District. "We convene divergent industries to create opportunities for next-level innovation. Researchers, entrepreneurs and big-thinkers all converge here in a collaborative environment. This state-of-the-art development positions our city as a leading competitor for new companies, jobs and talent in a global economy.” Read more.

Anirban Basu, economist and Chairman & CEO of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group

Anirban, has posted a new blog article on "21 Predictions for 2021."

Basu has twice been recognized as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people. He serves as Chairman of the Maryland Economic Development Commission, teaches global strategy at Johns Hopkins University and serves the Chief Economist function for a number of organizations around the country.  Read more.