Investment tax credit would aid job growth

In order to successfully compete in today’s economy, many states are implementing strategies and programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs and start-up ventures compete on a level playing field. They are doing this by ensuring a robust system of university research, boosting commercialization of that research, and making sure that this innovation "ecosystem" has all the components needed to create and sustain high wage jobs.

One of the biggest hurdles faced by any entrepreneur with an idea for a new business is finding early stage and seed capital funding. For start-up firms based in research and innovation that can be an especially tough challenge because banks do not generally lend money for intangible assets. Providing an incentive for investors to back these fledgling companies is a proven way to solve that problem.

Anne Barth and Andrew Zulauf

Full Story: http://wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/201203020159