Commentary

Welcome in Arizona!   Ron_Schott   Arizona Technology Council   Email:

The Arizona Technology Council is a private non-profit organization that supports the technology Industry and technology Education in Arizona. We are excited that the Nano and Giga Symposium and Spring School will be hosted in Phoenix, Arizona in March 2007. As the State of Arizona approaches its 100th anniversary in 2012, we are focused on helping bring the state to be recognized as a technology hub. The focus on nanotechnology highlighted by this symposium will be another key step and indicator to make this vision a reality.

The Arizona Technology Council has over 500 member companies with over 35,000 employees focused on technology in Arizona. The industry segments span from semi-conductor to aero space and defense, bio-science and technology, life sciences, renewable energy, optics, flexible displays, and other emerging Technologies. The Arizona Technology Council has a track record of successful advocacy with the passage of multiple legislative initiatives to encourage investments in technology based entrepreneurs and companies in the State of Arizona. The angel investor tax credit passed in 2005 offers a 30 to 35% state tax credit for individuals investing in technology start-ups in Arizona. With our R & D tax credit bill currently going through the legislature, if approved, it will make Arizona the top state in technology innovation tax credits.

The Arizona Technology Council and its member companies look forward to interacting with out-of-state and international attendees coming to the Symposium and encourage them to share and collaborate with Arizona innovators. We hope your stay at the meeting will be rewarding and memorable.