Going global with U.S. in mind
Last week, Rick Weddle was invited to testify before a Senate subcommittee about what more lawmakers might do to spur job creation.
As head of the foundation that runs Research Triangle Park, Weddle said, he jumped at the opportunity. Part of his job is to make sure RTP is on the international radar as an engine of economic growth. "You look for low-cost ways to create noise or visibility that reinforces our brand," that help "make companies more interested in being located here," he said.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs subcommittee on economic policy wanted to hear "innovative thinking" about how to create jobs longer-term, Weddle said. "They were interested in some things out of the box."
He suggested tax credits for research and development and for creating jobs, and finding new ways to get much-needed capital to small businesses.