Innovation infrastructure creation policy of North Carolina authorities

The North Carolina innovation business development policy is a great example ofsuccessful governance, ''an American dream''. The state without sufficient advantages in the spheres of higher education and industrytransferred its economy on innovation basis. But the greatest work was done by the government of the region and it is connected withthe predominance of the Democratic Party members in the North Carolina political establishment. Almost all governors of the state whotook their seats after the Second World War were Democrats. One of the components of their ideology is greater state regulation ofeconomy and the North Carolina authorities acted as true Democrats, creating institutions of innovation business development. Thecreation of institutions, contributing to innovation policy of North Carolina began in 1950s. In 1956 the Research Triangle Park wascreated. Luther Hodges the Governor of North Carolina agreed with recommendations of business leaders and industrialists and signedthe executive order, initiating the Research Triangle Project, an industrial park which transformed the state from the agrarian into theindustrial one. There are three main channels of incentives for high-tech businesses: the structures created by the authorities, universitiesand business associations. But such system did not appear at once. At the beginning of innovation way to success the authoritiesdetermined the directions of state development in the sphere of science. To fulfill the task the North Carolina Board of Science andTechnology was created in 1963. In the state there were three main types of technology: biotechnology, green energy and defencetechnologies. The position of high-tech business is represented by the NC Technology Association. It is an organization with establishedmembership: representatives of big corporations take part in the work of the association and are simultaneously the sponsors. Politiciansare invited to different events to discuss certain projects and legislations. In 1984 the North Carolina State Universities established SmallBusiness and Technology Development Center. The unique structure of the university allows it to provide mentorship for high-techbusinesses. North Carolina determined the priorities of innovation development, built the structure responsible for attracting investmentto the emerging start-ups. The key of the state's success is the combination of the public-private approach in creation and functioning ofthis structure.

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