U.S. Federal Funding for Business Incubators

A recent study by Commerce Dept.’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) found that investments in business incubators yield a higher return than that of traditional public-works projects such a infrastructure upgrades etc. As a result of this, EDA is increasingly providing funding to incubators and incubator programs around the U.S. In 2009, EDA invested $80.7 million in incubators, which it says resulted in 8,746 jobs.

Two recent bills introduced would significantly increase the federal investment into business incubators around the country. These initiatives have top-level support, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in an interview, “We really think they’ll have tremendous payoffs for job creation and business across the country.”

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Clustering critical to boost chemicals innovation in Europe

Europe’s future competitiveness in chemicals will require strong innovation and improved logistics. Clusterdevelopment is expected to play a central role according to Fred du Plessis, President of the European Chemical Site Promotin Platform (ECSPP).

Following suit of other sectors in Europe, the implementation of mega-clusters or cluster networks is critical for securing. According to Mr. du Plessis, improving the efficiency of Europe’s chemical sites, chemical clusters, networks and mega clusters is paramount for the survival of the European chemical industry and for making it more attractive for further and future investment. Continue reading at ICIS