Value

Iowa State University has been very successful in its community and economic development programs. As described in the Scholarly Achievements and Strengths section of this self-study, the University is a national leader in its technology transfer/economic development efforts. It also serves the state in many ways as it assists companies and communities across Iowa. Several examples of this can be found in an annual report— submitted to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, entitled “Technology Transfer Accomplishments—Development Activities.”

A short list of measurable results includes:

• Technologies licensed to Iowa companies (not including plant germplasm) resulted in sales by those companies of $22 million in 2004.

• In the last two decades, Iowa State technologies and/or technical assistance have resulted in the creation of 78 companies.

• As a result of the activities of the Center for Industrial Research and Service, 256 companies in Iowa reported $25 million in new investments during the last four quarters, as well as $683 million in salse gained and retained. Growth in sales often is mirrored by an increase in employment. Companies that worked with CIRAS reported that 1,057 jobs were added or retained as a result of the assistance they received.

• Since its inception, the ISU Research Park has launched 145 companies and affiliates, which have grown to a worldwide workforce of more than 1,700. ISU has maintained its position as one of the nation’s leading universities in technology transfer accomplishments. In the latest survey conducted by the Association of University Technology Managers, in which 165 U.S. universities participated, Iowa State ranked second in licenses and options yielding income and second in the number of licenses and options executed on its intellectual property. For those universities without medical schools, Iowa State ranked first in each of these categories.

• Over the past three years, the Defense Logistics Agency has reported that over 1000 jobs have been created in Iowa as a result of contracts awarded to companies that have received assistance from the CIRAS Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

• Another indicator often used in measuring how Iowa State puts research to work is the R&D 100 Award. Described by the Chicago Tribune as the “Oscars of applied science,” the award is presented annually by R&D magazine to the top 100 technological innovations of the year, with special consideration given to their commercial potential. It is highly coveted by industry and more recently by research universities. Since 1984, Iowa State faculty and staff have received 27 of these awards, more than any university except MIT.

Of particular note, the Iowa State University Research Park is flourishing. It has seen growth each year since its inception in 1986. A study undertaken by an Iowa State economist for the Research Park suggests that the substantial and diverse set of economic activity located there is strongly linked with the Iowa economy. Conducted from December 2002 through February 2003, the study focused on current Park tenants whom, it was revealed, contributed directly and indirectly $134.2 million in total industrial output. Wages paid by Research Park companies exceeds $36.7 million annually, with an additional $16.9 million in wages generated by businesses providing goods and services to Research Park companies and its employees. The average annual salary per worker is greater than $40,000. The average wage calculation includes students employed at Research Park companies. The economic activity generated by Research Park tenants yields an estimated $3.7 million in state tax income and another $1.4 million in state charges and miscellaneous revenues annually. The web site of the ISU Research Park further describes the activities of this unit.

Further proof of Iowa State’s strong economic development program can be found in a 2004 report titled “Iowa’s Bioscience Pathway for Development.” This report, prepared by the Battelle Institute for the State of Iowa, lists as four of the key six platforms for future economic development activities, the areas of bioeconomy, advanced food and feed, animal systems, and biosecurity—three critical Iowa State biology-oriented initiatives. The report provides a roadmap for future economic activity across the state of Iowa, primarily in the area of biotechnology. BIOWA is working with the Regents' universities in implementing this plan. BIOWA is a trade assocation with the objective of expanding biorefineries and biobased businesses in Iowa. Similar reports [LINK: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/studies.html] are also available on advanced manufacturing and information technology.