Md., Va. tops on tech list Maryland and Virginia are both in the top 10 in the Milken Institute’s State Technology and Science Index.
The index from the California think tank aims to capture a state’s research and development capabilities and human capital capacity. It also measures a state’s success in converting those assets into company and high-paying jobs.
The institute said Maryland, with a score of 77.05, trailed only Massachusetts for R&D funds coming into the state. Maryland, however, ranked first in academic research and development per capita, fueled by leading the country in National Institutes of Health funding.
Maryland’s 2010 score dropped from 80.04 in 2008, the last time the index was released. Maryland was also No. 2 in 2008.
Virginia was No. 8 on the list, down two spots from 2008, with a score of 68.05. The commonwealth registered its best performances in technology concentration and dynamism and technology and science work force. Its decline was attributed to a drop in human capital investment.
The top 10 states on the index:
1. Massachusetts
2. Maryland
3. Colorado
4. California
5. Utah
6. Washington
7. New Hampshire
8. Virginia
9. Connecticut
10. Delaware
Payrolls fall in Virginia, Maryland
Payrolls fell in 35 states in December, including sharp declines in Virginia and Maryland.
The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics says New York saw the biggest decline in nonfarm payrolls last month, down by 22,800 jobs. Minnesota lost 22,400 jobs, followed by Florida, with a decrease of 17,900.
The report shows Virginia payrolls declined by 10,400 jobs in December, while Maryland’s payrolls fell by 6,900 jobs, even as the unemployment rate in both states remained unchanged.
Virginia’s unemployment rate stood at 6.7 percent in December, unchanged from November. Maryland’s unemployment rate was also unchanged at 7.4 percent.
The unemployment rate rose in 20 states last month.
