In the race to beat out the 50th state in the nation in terms of going back in time, advancing technology and business start-ups, and ruining a thriving economic success, the North Carolina Senate voted to eliminate all funding to the North Carolina Biotech Center.
Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Two years ago, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center faced the possibility of a 50 percent cut in its budget. Now, the Center, which is the hub for the state's life science industry cluster that is the third largest in the nation, may have its funding zeroed out.
"The funding for the Biotech Center is cut - 8.6m."
So confirmed WRAL's Chief Capitol Correspondent Laura Leslie via email early Tuesday about what the N.C. Senate is proposing in a budget disclosed Monday night.
Actually, it's slash of $13.6 million in all since the Senate didn't include $5 million in one-time funding as approved in the last budget. The Biotech Center is scrambling to recover, noting that the House budget includes funding.
Just two years ago, the Center, which helps fund startups and research all over the state and is a key factor to N.C.'s $73 billion life science industry, was funded at $17.2 million.
http://wraltechwire.com/...
So what does this all mean, and what did this now "cut off at the knees" Biotech Center do for North Carolina? Follow me below the orange North Carolina Toxic Bio Hazard for more....
Well, as you read in the blockquote above, the center was an integral part in the funding of start-ups, and research all over North Carolina, and the third largest in the country. While the cat's away the Tar Heel Teabilly Taliban mice, will play...
Ironically, members of the Biotech Center team are at the international BIO convention in Philadelphia this week. They are touting "the state’s $73 billion-a-year infusion to North Carolina's economy" and call North Carolina the "SuperScieNCe'" state.
Here are the facts and numbers:
Life Science Job Growth in North Carolina
North Carolina's long-term investment in life science has paid off in jobs.
30.9 percent more jobs from 2000-12.
It's four times the national average.
And growth through two recessions.
In fact, new life science jobs account for half of the net new jobs in North Carolina.
A Look at the Numbers
Industry Details
North Carolina consistently places in the top tier of this fiercely competitive industry. Here's a snapshot of our industry
600-plus life-science companies
363 research and development; 128 contract research and testing; 105 production and manufacturing; 9 others
Specialization in drug development; contract research and testing; ag R&D, feedstock and specialty chemicals
Concentration in bioscience distribution
Rapidly growing strengths in medical devices
Our Programs
NCBiotech funding and non-funding programs fill gaps in the pipeline from idea to market.
Research and commercialization grants generate $28 on average for each $1 in funding
Biotech growth companies attract $118 for each $1 loaned
http://www.ncbiotech.org/...
More on the economic impact of this brash budget cut, an what it means in hard numbers:
"Life science companies and institutions in North Carolina generate $73 billion in economic activity and account for 228,259 direct and indirect jobs," a story written by NCBio contributor Barry Eater pointed out. "And while employment in the nation’s life science industry rose by 7.4 percent from 2001 to 2012, North Carolina’s grew an impressive 31 percent, even with the setbacks from the Great Recession of 2008."
http://wraltechwire.com/...
Oh no, we can't have growth like that in North Carolina: It would make the other Southern Red States look bad compared to us!
We need to be more like "them".
So, how many new industries an start-ups will want to try their hand in to North Carolina to enjoy that "Carolina Comeback" that was touted as being the "Renaissance" of the Job Creator, lower taxes, Libertarian/A.L.E.C./Koch Brothers/Art Pope/Tar Heel Teabilly Taliban dream that has yet to materialize, and is now becoming the joke in Op-Ed around the state???
You guessed it - Not many.
North Carolina had once been the shining star of the South, now it's taking on Mississippi as being the butt end of all of those jokes we so many times over the years heard about as being another slow, and out of touch repressive Red State run by an incompetent, self serving and intellectually challenged, bunch of hicks.
"Welcome To North Carolina - Set your Clocks Back 100 Years."
Be careful out there.