Nevada ranks 47th in Milkin Institute Technology Index
Supporters of a developing tech industry in downtown Las Vegas might be surprised to learn that Nevada isn’t near the top of the Milken Institute’s biennial State Technology and Science Index.
The Silver State came in 47th in this year’s index, just above West Virginia, Arkansas and Mississippi, the study released Wednesday shows. Nevada was ranked 46th in 2010.
Massachusetts ranked first. Maryland, California, Colorado and Washington followed to round out the top five.
“With a critical mass of universities, research institutions, and cutting-edge firms, (Massachusetts) is the indomitable state,” said Kevin Klowden, Milken’s senior economist and the report’s co-author.
The index, which has been published five times since 2002, measures the following: a state’s ability to attract funding; risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure; investment into human capital; size and influence of technology and science workforce; and concentration of tech companies.
Nevada continues to be at or near the bottom of the Human Capital Investment Composite Index. The state ranked 49th this year, up one spot from 2010.
The study attributed Nevada’s poor ranking to a lack of degrees in science and engineering, along with low levels of doctoral engineers and scientists.
Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @sierotyfeatures on Twitter.
