|
|
 |
Technology: Goals & Measures
|
|
|
Indicator Measures
|
How are we doing?
|
|
|
|
.gif) |
9.1.1 Research & Development and venture capital funding
|
In 2003, MA received $4.6 billion (up15% from 2001) in federal R&D funds, second only to CA’s $15.7 billion. The percentage of US venture capital funds invested in MA rose 11% in 2001 to 14% in 2003 – but were still only about half the nearly $5 billion invested in 2001. Almost one-third of all VC investment in MA in 2003 was in the biotechnology sector, up from 10% in 2001. Software held steady at 22% in both 2001 and 2003.
|
|
9.1.2 Patents per capita
|
In 2003, 3,909 patents were granted to MA innovators, or 61 per 100,000 residents, placing MA ahead of other Leading Technology States and reflecting a 6.6% increase over 2001. The highest percentage – 28% – was in health care. However, patents are a form of increasingly mobile intellectual capital and do not necessarily translate into local start-ups and jobs. |
|
9.1.3 Graduates with science and technology degrees
|
The number of engineering Master’s degrees awarded in MA increased by 7.5% between 2002 and 2003, but this is substantially less than the US increase of 14.5%; and overall, the US ranks only 17th in the proportion of people 24 and older with degrees in engineering and science – a drop from third place in 1975. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.2.1 In-home access to computers and the Internet
|
In 2003, about two-thirds of Boston-area residents had a computer at home, and most of those had an Internet connection, with little change since 2001 overall. The “digital divide” is narrowing. Between 2001 and 2003, the percentage of black households with a computer increased from 50% to 61% and Latino households from 36% to 47%, with no change in white and Asian households. |
|
9.2.2 Public access to computers and the Internet
|
In 2004, there were 72 locations, 42 of them free, in Boston with wireless Internet access. Newbury Open promotes free wireless access along Newbury Street, and the Boston Public Library offers public access to computers and the Internet. Of 82 MA community computer centers, 54 are in Boston and 40 of these are Timothy Smith Centers located in Greater Roxbury. Mattapan, South Boston, East Boston, and Allston-Brighton have the lowest levels of public access. |
|
9.2.3 Number of neighborhoods/communities with available broadband and wireless access
|
The number of high-speed lines in MA grew by 48% in 2001, 39% in 2002, and 29% in 2003 – less than the average US rate of growth. Codman Square, Dorche
|
|
|
|
|
.gif){kind=icon}