Friday, August 22, 2003
The future looks bleak for middle income tech workers in Silicon Valley. Jobs paying $40,000 to $80,000 are disappearing. That will leave high-end engineering and leadership positions along with low-level service jobs.
According to analysts, the Valley needs to diversify into health care and financial services in order to generate more middle income employment. In addition, the Valley needs to prepare for intensifying competition from India and China.
AnnaLee Saxenian, a professor of city and regional planning at UC-Berkeley, is one of the brightest lights in our business. Her comment: "[A]s these other places improve their capabilities, we're going to see real problems.''
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
San Jose forum explores strategic options
