The Mississippi Institute for Technology Development (ITD) is a nonprofit corporation established to achieve economic development by conducting scientific research, translating the results of research into usable technology, and developing this technology into competitive products. ITD is funded by a $16 million grant from the state, a $20 million grant from the federal government, and a $2 million commitment from the private sector.
While it is too early to quantify all of the benefits of ITD, PEER evaluated certain preconditions to realization of ITD’s success. Eighteen months into its existence, ITD reports creation of 124 jobs. Philosophical differences and resulting coordination problems between some ITD centers and the universities jeopardize the effectiveness of the ITD concept. Communication and transfer of technological information between ITD and other economic development agencies of the state occurs infrequently and only at the upper levels of management.
Even if ITD does accomplish all of its goals, ITD alone cannot solve the state’s economic development problems. Without an adequate infrastructure (e.g., schools, roads) to support the type of high-technology development that ITD is attempting to create, the institute cannot succeed in attracting and retaining the individuals who will bring about this development. ITD is only one component of what must be a comprehensive and concerted effort to develop the state’s economy.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.