Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with John Hardin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the NC Department of Commerce, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.
The Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation is a part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation advises and makes recommendations to the North Carolina Governor, General Assembly, Secretary of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on the role of science, technology and innovation in the economic growth and development of the state.
The mission of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation is to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians through advancing science, technology, and innovation. To achieve this mission, the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry. It also staffs the 25-member Board of Science, Technology and Innovation, appointed by the Governor and General Assembly.
Since the inception of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation in 1963, the Board and the staff have worked on several data-driven strategies, said Hardin. One of the more known strategic plans of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation was called Vision 2030. Over several years, the Office held focus groups around economic needs. The plan was shelved because of changing administrations. It was since picked back up and work has begun on enacting Vision 2030. Tracking Innovation is a statistical report card of all the innovation economy of North Carolina. They are measuring 42 different measures related to innovation that are happening across the state.
The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation has a number of programs and initiatives. There are Tracking Innovation reports, grant programs, Innovation Hubs, and a focus on Defense Innovation. Two federal programs called the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (SBTTR) are an important source of early-stage technology funding for small businesses to help R&D-focused entrepreneurs and advanced research and development in a wide variety of technology areas. Hardin said when he came on the team in 2003, North Carolina did not seem to be achieving an appropriate level of federal funding to help these technology focused businesses. The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation then proposed and received funding for the One North Carolina Small Business Program through the legislature, explained Hardin. The One North Carolina Small Business Program has been operational since 2006 to provide matching funding to get the small businesses. Over 600 grants have been awarded. These companies have created and retained around 1,500 jobs because of the program.
Hardin said there are many opportunities in rural areas that may not be in urban areas for companies focused on science, technology, and innovation. He said the rural areas are less expensive to locate in, have less traffic to navigate, and the competition is less in a rural area. Hardin also stated that the State has programs in place to help companies expand into rural areas. He added that the programs through the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation, provide rural companies a higher ranking for the funding. In other State-supported programs, more funding is available for companies locating or expanding in rural areas.
Learn more about the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology and Innovation.