Silicon shire
In 2012 the Eugene, Oregon metro area was dubbed the Silicon Shire.[1] Like many regions that have taken on Silicon-themed names, the Silicon Shire is home to a thriving technology sector.[2][3] In 2015, the region's rapid growth led to Eugene being named one of "The Next Top 10 Cities For Tech Jobs" by Fast Company magazine.[4]
There are more than 400 companies in the Silicon Shire region, employing more than 4,570 people with an annual payroll of about $296 million.[5] Key factors in the region's growth are the presence of higher education, a high quality of life, a low cost environment, and technological advancements.[6] The region is home to the largest game developer cluster in Oregon, and also is the location of Symantec's third largest site in the world.[7] In addition to technology, the region also boasts a significant healthcare sector as well as food processing, craft breweries, and small-scale agriculture.[8]
In early 2015, companies from the region partnered with an international advocacy group for mobile app developers to host an event featuring speakers including Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter Defazio.[5] Later that year, Alaska Airlines obtained a federal Small Community Air Service Development grant to establish a direct route connecting the region to Silicon Valley.[9]
References
- ↑ KMTR Silicon Shire. 24 January 2014 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Sinclair Broadcast Group. "Silicon Shire: 'Eugene is a real hub for tech companies'". KVAL.
- ↑ "Tech firms take off". The Register-Guard. 2 February 2014.
- ↑ "The Next Top 10 Cities For Tech Jobs". Fast Company. 13 July 2015.
- 1 2 "App developers meeting today on UO campus". The Register-Guard. 25 August 2015.
- ↑ "State Representative Nancy Nathason - September-October 2014". Oregon Legislature.
- ↑ "Relocation". Travel Lane County.
- ↑ "Heart of the Silicon Shire". Business in Focus. 19 September 2014.
- ↑ "Connecting the Silicon Shire to the Silicon Valley". City of Eugene, OR. 10 November 2015.