28th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the biotechnology industry continues to contribute substantially to the New England and Eastern Canada economies and is projected to rapidly expand in the coming decade; and

WHEREAS, a common economic interest exists within the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canada Premiers to grow the biotechnology industry; and

WHEREAS, the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor, sanctioned and created by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in 1998, continues to expand and thrive; and

WHEREAS, the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor has begun to receive recognition worldwide as one of the largest biotechnology clusters in the world; and

WHEREAS, the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor has begun initiatives 1) to coordinate intra-Corridor trade missions and promote intra-Corridor commerce in biotechnology, 2) to facilitate collaboration between universities and colleges within the Corridor with life science programs and promote student exchanges between these universities and colleges; and 3) to promote worldwide the Northeast of North America as a cluster of excellence in biotechnology; and

WHEREAS, the catalyst to make the Corridor an effective organization was the establishment of a corporate headquarters and the hiring of a director in 2002, and

WHEREAS, the continued growth and effectiveness of the Corridor is dependent upon continued funding sufficient to operate this organization; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers continues to support the forward movement of this initiative to promote biotechnology development within the region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference, through the Governors and Premiers, will assist their representatives to the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor to seek funding from private funds, state or provincial funds, federal funds, or through granting agencies or other similar organizations commencing July 1, 2004.

Adopted at the 28^th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, September 7-9, 2003.

John G. Rowland
Governor of Connecticut
Co-chair

Bernard Lord
Premier of New Brunswick
Co-chair