Two days after President Obama laid out plans in his State of the Union address to support innovation and bolster U.S. manufacturing, Acting U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank visited Tech Town, a premier commercial technology campus, in Dayton. There, she toured UA Vision and Persistent Surveillance, startup companies that are commercializing federally-supported research, and delivered remarks about the importance of investing in innovation and a skilled labor force to create jobs in a 21st century economy.

While in Dayton, Blank also participated in a roundtable with local business leaders to discuss how Department of Commerce resources can help them become more innovative and competitive. In addition, she toured the Wright-Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory, a major area job magnet which conducts critical research and development work, among other services.

The Commerce Department is also working hand-in-hand with local companies to continue innovating and exploring. Through the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Commerce has worked with more than 300 companies in southwest Ohio. Commerce’s Economic Development Administration even teamed up with the state to help build Tech Town. 

Innovation is the motor that generates American jobs today, and it will be the driving force that creates the jobs of tomorrow. While private citizens and businesses are the primary source of new ideas—from concept to commercialization—the government plays a key role in this effort.

Basic research and development is under-provided, and governments worldwide recognize the need for public support of this type of work at universities and research institutes.

Ultimately, job growth is the metric that is most important. And long-term job growth will only occur in a world where entrepreneurs and researchers find it easy to pursue new ideas and to turn them into new products and successful new businesses.

The Department of Commerce is committed to working with public universities, local governments and private industry to build an economy that lasts.  Remarks