Pa. must boost technology funding

So it's official: Amazon HQ2 isn't coming to Pennsylvania. But don't let disappointment overshadow the success of our commonwealth's technology transformation, nor steal away from opportunities to expand this vibrant sector in the future.

When Ben Franklin Technology Partners was launched 35-plus years ago, Pennsylvania was at the forefront of tech-based economic development investment. The strategy worked. BFTP has successfully built and accelerated dozens of desirable technology industries.

With its four regionally based centers, including one in the Lehigh Valley, the partners generated 51,000 jobs in client firms statewide, plus another 89,000 spinoff jobs, and boosted Pennsylvania's economy by $23.5 billion. BFTP investments generate $3.60 in additional state tax revenue for every dollar invested.

But state funding for BFTP has diminished over the years, rendering the centers unable to invest in deserving companies, and having to seriously short-fund others. Simultaneously, other states have adopted technology-based economic development programs. Among the 12 most competitive states in this sector, their investments are nearly triple Pennsylvania's.

Ben Franklin is recognized as the international gold standard in technology-based economic development. But restoring BFTP's funding is essential for Pennsylvania to remain competitive and continue to drive innovation.

If we continue to underfund Ben Franklin Technology Partners, what we lose is lost forever.

R. Chadwick Paul Jr.

The writer is president and CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Bethlehem.

After two years of investigations, accusations and bombshells that turned into duds, there has not been a shred of evidence that President Trump colluded with the Russians to win the presidency.

There have been lurid tales of prostitutes and indictments of people for acts committed years before Trump had presidential ambitions, but nothing about collusion that occurred during the campaign.

In fact, it has never been clearly stated what the Russians did to help Trump and how. The only thing they apparently did is they paid a couple of hundred thousand dollars for some Facebook ads. This is just not plausible.

If a mere couple of hundred thousand dollars swayed millions of voters to vote for Trump, these people must be super salesmen. The election cost Hillary Clinton and supporting super PACs a billion dollars; Trump spent about half that.

If these ads were so effective, I strongly suggest that either political party hire these people immediately if they want to win elections and save a lot of money, or they should be recruited by any company that wants to increase its sales.

Russia is renowned for many things: chess players, weight lifters, gymnasts. Creative, effective PR specialists are not on the list. Alfred Gruenke

Lower Macungie Township