As New York Gov. David Paterson outlined his vision June 8 to make New York state a global leader in the knowledge-based economy, he cited a task force led by Cornell President David J. Skorton as the type of initiative that will create jobs for New Yorkers.

"In terms of establishing an innovative economy, there is going to have to be a relationship between the innovations in New York and job creation in New York," Paterson said. "We can never lose sight of our end goal, which is to create jobs and put New Yorkers back to work."

Skorton attended the event at which Paterson unveiled the plan, Bold Steps to a New Economy: A Jobs Plan for the People of New York, at the New York Academy of Sciences in lower Manhattan. Paterson's presentation included details on the plan, which capitalizes on federal stimulus dollars to drive economic recovery in the fields of energy, environmental protection, technology and health care. A key component will be the creation of an Innovation Economy Matching Grants program that will provide a 10 percent match for every stimulus dollar the federal government awards through competitive grants to research facilities in New York state.

The plan builds on previous steps to bolster the state's economy, including the Skorton-led task force. On May 14 Paterson had named Skorton chair of the Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy Through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships. Its mission is to combine the state's research assets with job development, especially through business incubation and the commercialization of sciences.

"The time for bold thinking is now. This is the time for encouraging businesses that are thriving and for investing in the industries that hold promise for the future," Paterson said.