Milken ranks Wisconsin 22nd in science and technology index

San Diego, Calif. - Wisconsin has moved up five spots since 2004 and now ranks 22nd among the 50 states in the annual State Technology and Science index published by the Milken Institute.

The 2008 report ranks states on an inventory of technology and science assets that can be leveraged to promote economic development.

It ranks Wisconsin behind only Michigan (14th) among Midwestern states, and ahead of Minnesota (24th), Illinois (26th), Ohio (28th), Indiana (30th), and Iowa (32nd).

Massachusetts, which has passed a $1 billion life sciences bill to invest in its high-tech infrastructure and R&D, was ranked as the state in the best position to succeed in the information age, followed by Maryland, Colorado, California, and Washington.

The report notes the main threat to each state's position comes from developing countries abroad, especially if they fail to invest in assets such as research institutions, human capital, technology workforce, risk capital and entrepreneurship, and technology concentration.

“States that have a vision and plan for building and retaining high-wage jobs and viable industries are finding way to invest in their science and technology assets,” said Ross DeVol, the Milken Institute's director of regional economics.

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