The battle for jobs is not about tax rates, parking lots or more efficient government. It is about Connecticut becoming known as North America’s best location for high potential entrepreneurs.
Start by attracting the special people who are skilled at starting and building firms capable of fast growth. Build a few exceptional programs that answer key needs for workforce, innovation support and global connectedness.
Entrepreneurs will be impressed if we build a state magnet grade 6 to 12 school system that produces extremely talented science oriented graduates – as good as any in the world. Attract parents to move here for these science academies and they will also expand our immediate pool of world-class workers.
Offer free tuition and summer internships through our state higher Ed institutions for students who take a rigorous STEM curriculum, do well and agree to work in the state for five years after graduation. Pay for training and higher salaries to new math and science teachers in our public schools.
Support innovation by making entrepreneurs happy and comfortable here. For those who qualify, offer space, fellowships, seed funding, expert mentors and a version of “tech clinical trials” at established large firms for new products. Provide grants to those who can commercialize unused ideas within our largest companies. Always link people and companies to promote emerging Connecticut clusters that are based on established industries such as aerospace, business services and clean energy.
Brand a few locations as “tech transfer zones” designed for new tech firms. Locate them near rail lines for commuting and access to New York and airports, walking distance from a range of housing types and close to our research universities and hospitals. Consider a “tech hostel” for recently graduated students and affordable incubators for startup companies.
Finish the whole package off with a well designed web 2.0 tech community innovation portal and a “funky” international campaign by the Governor touting us as hungry for innovation.
Ten years from now other states and countries will look at us with envy.
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