Ben Franklin News

How Berks fits in to PA’s innovation economy

In August, the Brookings Institute released a report looking at the state of Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, warning that the commonwealth is falling behind in the knowledge-driven economy that propels most advanced industries. The report cites the Ben Franklin Technology Partners as a “national model for technology-based economic development.” But Pennsylvania stopped investing in innovation. After the 2008 Great Recession, the legislature reduced funding for Ben Franklin Technology Partners. The 2019-20 appropriation of $14.5 million is nearly half of the pre-recession amount of $28 million. Via Reading Eagle