In Va., governors ponder economies

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was in Williamsburg, Va. this weekend for the National Governor”™s Association, with NGA chair and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman sharing his strategies for growing states”™ economies.

On Saturday Malloy led a forum on states”™ roles in creating the modern electric grid.

“We want to help the private sector grow and create new job opportunities,” Heineman said, in a prepared statement. “High growth businesses are one of the driving forces of the modern global economy, a primary source of job creation, prosperity and economic competitiveness.”

Speakers included Steve Blank, who co-authored “The Startup Owner”™s Manual” with Bob Dorf, a partner with Stamford-based 1to1 Ventures.

Under Malloy, Connecticut has reinvigorated its technology and life sciences focus, drawing Jackson Laboratory to create a new genomics center in Farmington; recapitalizing the Connecticut Innovations venture fund; and developing a statewide network of high-tech incubators.

Heineman developed his policy framework from a series of regional summits during the past year, including one last October in Hartford.