For Business Forward, "Innovation" covers three, very different areas.

 

First, in partnership with our members, leading think tanks and trade groups, Business Forward will hold briefings for business leaders interested in learning more about reforms that encourage America's leadership role in technology, such as improving federal funding for basic research, expanding broadband access and protecting IP.  These reforms, when coupled with investments in education and worker training, can help American businesses compete in our increasingly global economy.  They can also help create high paying, secure jobs.

 

We will also promote innovative public/private partnerships, particularly those in which corporate sponsors are having a signficant impact on their communities by working with non-profits, social entrepreneurs and foundations.  One potential partner is the White House Office of Social Innovation. 

 

Finally, while Business Forward will focus on what’s good for business, we also believe that business leaders have a special role to play in making sure the government is as effective as it can be.  In op-eds, press briefings and other public events, Business Forward will make the case for policies that help change the way government does business.  We will also encourage our members to participate actively in the many "open government" initiatives established by Federal agencies and the White House.

 

 

Under the Recovery Act, Congress and the Obama Administration provided for $21.5 billion in research and development, the largest increase in our Nation’s history, and well as major investments in broadband networks, clean energy technologies, and health information technology.  The President's FY10 budget includes $75 billion to make the research and experimentation tax credit permanent – a longstanding business priority. 

 

Together, the enacted and proposed budgets double basic research at the NSF, Department of Energy and National Institute of Standards and Technology by 2016, with a special emphasis on encouraging high-risk, high-return research and supporting researchers at the beginning of their careers.  

 

Business Forward members, Ecko Unlimited/Sweat Equity Partners (featured in our "Profiles" pages), are examples of the kind of social innovation we seek to promote.

 

 

Current "open government" reforms seek to (1) make government more accountable, by making it easier for citizens and businesses to obtain government data; (2) make government more efficient and creative, by finding ways to help more citizens and businesses to share their expertise with government workers and participate in the policymaking process; and, (3) make government more effective, by encouraging better cooperation (and best practices) across the Federal agencies, with State and local governments, and with the public.

  

We encourage business leaders to participate in several open government initiatives, including Regulations.gov (established 2003), which has enabled millions of citizens to search, view and comment on federal regulations.