22. Cache County, UT
Towns include: North Logan
Job growth (2000-2010): 29.5%
Cloning pigs and creating silk from goats milk: It`s all in a day`s work for the researchers at Utah State University. The school, one of the nation`s premier facilities for linking research and commerce, is one of the county`s biggest employers, providing more than 3,000 jobs.
Grants are a key to USU`s livelihood, and a key money angel is the Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative, a state program that turns university research into commercial enterprises. Despite state budget cuts, USTAR boosted its funding by 50% to $66 million in the last six months of 2010. Much of that money came from venture capital.
Fueled by its success, Utah State has been able to lure top talent and expand research facilities. Last fall, USTAR opened its $60 million BioInnovations Center on campus, and in February, the $23 million Bingham Entrepreneurship & Energy Research Center opened its doors.
BEFORE:
15. Wake County, NC
17. Sarpy County, NE
NEXT: