Business, industry, and government leaders from across Pennsylvania recently gathered at Penn State Harrisburg to discuss innovation and the Pennsylvania economy.
Grow PA, a statewide initiative that convenes people and organizations to advance a modern growth agenda, coordinated the meeting with support by Penn State.
Participants in the event, titled “The State of Innovation: Generating Ideas to Grow,” discussed creating a state-wide innovation strategy and increasing investment in innovation.
Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones discussed the University’s efforts to foster innovation at its campuses and across the state.
“When we launched the Invent Penn State initiative four years ago, we hoped it would facilitate technology-driven economic development and job creation throughout Pennsylvania,” he said. “Since then, we’ve opened innovation hubs in 21 Penn State campus communities, and they have attracted nearly $5 million in external matched and leveraged funds. Virtually all Pennsylvania residents live within 30 minutes of an Invent Penn State hub.”
He noted that, according to recent data, 39 new Pennsylvania companies, 72 products, and 89 jobs have resulted from entrepreneurial activity involving more than 1,500 students at Penn State campuses.
Participants also discussed a report by Brookings, “Ideas for Pennsylvania’s Innovation Policy,” which examined efforts by other states and national leaders as well as the challenges Pennsylvania faces in jumpstarting its innovation efforts.
The forum also highlighted leaders who have helped their part of Pennsylvania grow.
“What Penn State’s trying to do in partnership with Grow PA is to create conversations around economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation — identifying the problem and talking about policies,” Zack Moore, vice president of government and community relations for the University, said. “That’s what today’s meeting was all about — getting these stakeholders in the same place so we can have that conversation.”
“Traditional workforce development around the state is primarily focused on filling immediate needs,” Moore continued. “The Grow PA partners are looking beyond that — 10, 15, 20, 30 years from now, and look at future industries and future businesses that will really propel growth and make Pennsylvania a national leader in economic development. Penn State believes it can play a huge role in a potential new economy.”