Higher education fuels the economy
By: Dr. Andre Perry
Issue date: 6/11/09 Section: Voices
In fact, the major growth industries of technology, biomedical science and computer science need college faculty and students to help complete major projects financed by agencies such as the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation.
These are the breeding grounds for industries of the future -- computers, alternative energy and medicine. These are mega-industries. And the state of higher education is a major factor in their decision to move to a community.
Lawmakers and state administrators should use the Louisiana Mega Projects Development Fund as it was intended. If part of the fund can be used to save industries that will in turn bring new businesses to Louisiana, then shifting these funds is a good political and practical strategy.
By shifting economic development money, we can help the colleges and universities attract the very industries sought by the program.
Eroding stable industries for the sake of potential ones defeats the purpose of the economic development fund.
When the Senate has its turn, let's hope it can make the compromises we need to save and create jobs.
These are the breeding grounds for industries of the future -- computers, alternative energy and medicine. These are mega-industries. And the state of higher education is a major factor in their decision to move to a community.
Lawmakers and state administrators should use the Louisiana Mega Projects Development Fund as it was intended. If part of the fund can be used to save industries that will in turn bring new businesses to Louisiana, then shifting these funds is a good political and practical strategy.
By shifting economic development money, we can help the colleges and universities attract the very industries sought by the program.
Eroding stable industries for the sake of potential ones defeats the purpose of the economic development fund.
When the Senate has its turn, let's hope it can make the compromises we need to save and create jobs.
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