SRI International Awarded Contract to Conduct Industry and Workforce Analysis and Strategy Development for the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Tampa Bay Partnership

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced today that it has been awarded a $525,000 contract to conduct detailed industry cluster and workforce analysis for the Tampa Bay region and to develop strategies to strengthen the region’s economy and workforce. The project will encompass eight counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. Three metropolitan areas, Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Lakeland-Winter Haven, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, also will be included in the analysis.

The study is designed to help regional leaders understand the performance of the region’s industry clusters compared to competitors, the strengths and weaknesses of the region’s workforce and educational /training systems, and the important market dynamics that will influence the region’s development strategies. SRI researchers also will offer insights regarding the performance of the region’s innovation system, using metrics such as patents and publications in key sectors, university start-ups and spinoffs, and university and private research and development.  Based on the overlap of regional assets and market needs, SRI will define areas where the region’s industry and workforce strengths can be leveraged through a comprehensive and targeted regional strategy.

“SRI International is proud to play an important role developing a comprehensive regional analysis and creative, forward-looking and viable strategies for the future,” said Ophelia Yeung, director of the economics program, and co-director of the Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development (CSTED), SRI International. “Our methodology has been applied successfully in SRI’s work with dozens of clients over the past decades. We look forward to specifically addressing the current and future industry and workforce needs in the Tampa Bay region.”

SRI will complete its analysis and present strategies for industry cluster and workforce strengthening to regional stakeholders by March 2011.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2009, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $470 million.

SOURCE SRI International