KEEPING ARIZONA SAFE, STRONG AND PROSPEROUS
Innovation Arizona
A thriving future economy means an economy that takes advantage of the jobs and technology of the future. In order for Arizona to be the high-tech powerhouse it can be, we must invest in the research and innovation that will produce it. In Governor Janet Napolitano's 2006 State of the State remarks, she announced the creation of "Innovation Arizona." Innovation Arizona has two charges: ? Provide use-inspired funding that will attract world-class researchers to Arizona. ? Support research into new products and technologies that can be commercialized and brought to the market. Through Innovation Arizona, leaders from the public and private sectors will cover the latest advances including sustainable systems, nano-tech, biosciences, defense, aerospace, and new communications and information technology. Innovation Arizona builds upon highly effective approaches from other states including Georgia and Texas and countries such as Ireland. For example: ? Texas used $295 million to relocate or expand 13 companies or institutions of higher education, creating more than 14,000 new jobs and almost $6 billion in direct economic investment for the state. ? In 10 years, the Georgia Research Alliance's $400 million in investments brought almost $2 billion in new federal and private funds into the Georgia economy. ? Since 2001, Science Foundation Ireland helped form 160 new research groups, 34 of them chaired by leading scientists who came to Ireland from laboratories abroad. Innovation Arizona invests in science-based solution building and innovation in areas beneficial to Arizona's long-term competitiveness and quality of life. By leveraging public-private partnerships, Innovation Arizona will improve Arizona's science and technology standing in the world.
Governor Janet Napolitano 2006 State of the State Address January 9, 2006
