"We must invest in the future," chamber Chairman Mark Howell said, explaining that basic research at the University of Utah and Utah State University has been a key driver in bringing high-tech firms to the state since the late 1960s. "With those high-tech companies, we bring high-paying jobs and we bring the future of Utah."
But without a new infusion of money, Utah's status as a leading research center will rapidly decline.
In unveiling a white paper on high-tech research and economic development in Utah, chamber President Lane Beattie said the study will be the basis for a push at the Legislature to vastly increase state funding for university research and development. California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan and other states, he said, already pour hundreds of millions into upgrading their universities' research pro- grams.
"We are in major danger of falling behind," BeaÂttie said. "If that happens, we could never catch up. That's how serious the danger is."
Spending on university research will seed economic development that will bolster the state's troubled education funding, he said. "This is not a discussion of higher education, this is a discussion of research and develop- ment."
Brian Moss, president of the Utah Life Science Association, which represents the state's biotechnology industry, welcomed the initiative.
"If we don't stay on top and continue to invest in these areas, it will be a crisis. We will fall behind," Moss said. "As we expand the universities' research capabilities, we will expand our industry. It has happened before."
Chamber researcher Janice Houston said Utah became "Little Silicon Valley" in the 1970s with the growth of companies such as WordPerfect, Evans and Sutherland and Novell. But that trend began slipping in the early 1990s with high-tech mergers and increased competition. Then dot.com bust and economic downturn in the early 2000s dealt serious blows to Utah's high-tech industries, with a predictable effect on the economy as a whole, she said. "Wages started going the wrong way, and young people started leaving the state."
Steve Mecham, a former Utah Public Service Commission chairman who collaborated on the report, said the chamber expects legislation to be introduced by Sens. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, and Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful. Details of the funding bill are still being worked out, but the study suggests a bond combined with ongoing annual funding, to ultimately raise $400 million for research over the next five years.
The money would pay researchers and build major facilities, including a brain institute at the University of Utah and a life sciences institute at Utah State University.
"This will generate so much economic activity the state will more than make up for its investment," Mecham said.
Beattie said the chamber anticipates Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who has made economic development a primary goal of his administration, will support the initiative. "We believe he'll be making an announcement in the near future."
Some top-priority research projects
The Salt Lake Chamber's white paper recommends $400 million in state funding for the following projects over the next five years.
U. of U.:
l A 00 million brain institute
l $50 million genetic research building.
USU:
l A $70 million life sciences institute
l A $30 infectious agent lab.
Statewide:
l Three technology innovation centers for a total of $20 million.
l A $5 million tech commercialization program.
l 25 research teams or "clusters" for a total of 25 million.
