U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke praised Tech for its leadership in driving economic progress in his address to participants at yesterday’s innovation forum held at the Global Learning Center. It was the fourth in a series of forums sponsored by the Department of Commerce to bring together university leaders and key stakeholders to discuss the role of universities in innovation, economic development and job creation.

“Georgia Tech has long provided America with some of its top technological talent,” said Locke. “It is quickly turning Atlanta into a magnet for innovators and entrepreneurs.” He gave as an example Georgia Tech’s critical role in a decision announced Wednesday by HydroPhi Technology, a hydrogen energy company, to establish its headquarters, R&D center and factory in the Atlanta area, creating 300 jobs.

Locke talked about the important role that research universities have as drivers of economic activities. “The challenge is to make this high level of performance of commercialization and job creation the standard nationwide,” he said.