State science and technology planning in West Virginia: Challenges facing practitioners

Many states that are involved in science and technology planning are select ing particular focus areas for state investment. In states with strong scie nce and technology capacity, focus areas can relate to existing strengths. In predominantly rural states, there may not be a strong science and techno logy foundation, so new areas that do not reflect existing strengths may be selected. This article describes West Virginia's first effort in statewide science and technology planning. The article shows that the existing resea rch and development capability is dominated by the chemicals industry but t hat the recently formed Science and Technology Advisory Council looked to n ew areas (information technologies and identification technologies)for inve stment and development. The rationale for the selection of these areas is e xplained.