Strategy:  Provide effective and active support for the economic development and quality of life in the region and state.

Point People:  John Meyer and Nicole Biggart

Narrative Summary of Third Year Implementation Efforts:
UC Davis continues to sponsor the Partnership for Prosperity project.  The purpose of this endeavor is to unite organizations and jurisdictions in the creation of a new, shared economic development strategy for the region.  Implementation of this plan is designed to ensure a vibrant economic future for the Sacramento region in the coming decades.  Chancellor Vanderhoef represents the campus on this important project.
An area of regional interest within the Partnership for Prosperity plan is positioning the region to become a center for “green” energy technologies.  Recent initiatives on the campus support and highlight this important area of research.
The Office of Research (OR) continues to further research relationships with government and industry. This past year, OR reached out to numerous California based industries to enhance their relationship and develop partnerships with UC Davis. Included are industries such as Hewlett Packard, Intel, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Genentech and Chevron. These partnerships will increased research opportunities for faculty and concurrently enhance the economic viability of the region.
The Office of Research External Research Advisory Board (ERAB) includes members who are critically involved in regional and national economic development issues, including CEO’s and leadership in federal laboratories and large industry. Numerous discussions at the ERAB have been focused on activities that will enhance UC Davis research and the role research at UC Davis will play in building the economy.
The Graduate School of Management’s Big Bang competition continues to growth and thrive.  The program is designed to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and hands-on learning while at the same time engaging regional leaders.

Advances and Ongoing Programs Consistent with Strategy:

• Sponsor and participant in the regional Partnership for Prosperity project which issued a regional business plan. (http://www.valleyvision.org/partnership/index.html)
• Efforts continue, by the Economic Development Work Group which meets monthly, to coordinate campus economic development efforts.  The group is coordinated by Vice Chancellors Klein and Meyer. In June, the Work Group met to begin defining the role that UC Davis could and should play in the economic development of the region. Questions such as whether or not UC Davis should dedicate staff to activities related to economic development and industry collaboration were explored.
• The Graduate School of Management, in collaboration with the Office of Research – Technology and Industry Alliances and with the support of several colleges and units, is offering two business development programs designed to introduce the most promising Ph.D. students and researchers to the principles and practices of entrepreneurship and new business development. One of the goals of the program is to spur the commercialization of intellectual property and research discoveries at the University. (http://www.gsm.ucdavis.edu/busdev)
• In cooperation with the Office of Research and the Graduate School of Management support the development of the Center for Entrepreneurship – C4E – which coordinates our educational programs in the area of business development. http://entrepreneurship.ucdavis.edu/
• The Consulting Center at the Graduate School of Management provides pro bono student consulting to the business community.  These projects, under the guidance of area executives, provide decision making analyses and market assessments for a wide range of businesses.  http://www.gsm.ucdavis.edu/consulting/ .  Ten projects were completed in 2005-06.

Short Statement of Plans for 2006-07

• The UC Davis Vice Chancellor for Research will be collaborating with the UC Office of the President to explore organizational models which enhance research and technology transfer.
• Set follow up meeting for the Economic Development Work Group to continue to define the appropriate role for UC Davis in regional economic development and what, if any, additional resources should be directed to this effort.
• Participate in implementation efforts for the Partnership for Prosperity’s regional business plan.
• Sponsor a conference on UC’s role in economic development or energy initiatives in 2007.
• Update campus Economic Impact Report which details the economic contributions of UC Davis to the region. (http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/economic_impact/)

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