Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
“Washington remains the most technology-intensive economy in the nation,” Locke told people from the business, government and education sectors. “We have more than 7,000 high-tech businesses employing more than 76,000 people, paying more than $3.7 billion in wages.”
The governor said a vibrant, “innovation economy” benefits all citizens. “The South Sound is an inspiration for what we need to do throughout the state to sustain and expand a vibrant innovation economy.”
“Washington state is leading the country in building digital government and has been out in front for the last three years as the nation’s ‘Digital State,’” Locke added.
Locke acknowledged honorary co-chairs of the event, U.S. Congressmen Norm Dicks and Adam Smith. “I salute the Congressmen, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, the conference organizers and the South Sound technology community for your leadership in bringing together such an outstanding group of speakers and for attracting such a large and varied audience.”
“The SST conference helps highlight the growing technology in the South Sound region and we are excited by the success of the conference these last two years,” said Dicks.
“We must actively promote the right policies to keep the New Economy moving and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed in it,” said Smith. “This conference provides a forum to hear from industry leaders to help us with these tough policy decisions.”
Cantwell said, “Washington state is at the forefront of the new economy -- a model for the nation in its use of technology in creating new businesses and new opportunities for education and job training -- but we still have a lot of work to do.” She added, “This conference clearly shows that technology can and will play an increasingly vital role in creating a dynamic and integrated state economy that serves the interests of all our citizens.”
The SST conference is focused on technology drivers for the new economy, energy and technology, research and development, the future of telecommunications, technology workforce, cyber security and privacy.
Recently, the non-partisan Council on Competitiveness in Washington D.C. issued a report emphasizing that successful regions develop and capitalize on local strengths. These include skilled workers in specialized areas, broadband communications and regional networks connecting business with local innovative technologies.
Through the proposed Technology Institute at the University of Washington Tacoma, closely aligned with the region’s community and technical colleges and K-12 systems, Locke said Tacoma will greatly expand the regional base of tech-savvy employees available to the local innovative businesses.
The Tacoma area is providing the bandwidth that technology-based and technology-dependent companies demand through the Click! and I-Net networks and the build-out of fiber optic telecommunications elsewhere in the region.
“These initiatives represent a combination of regional leadership, hard work and cooperation across political, geographic and sector boundaries -- that’s a great credit to everyone involved in the South Sound region,” Locke said. “I’m particularly impressed by the exemplary team effort to convince the Legislature to create a technology institute at the University of Washington, Tacoma. The University, the City of Tacoma, the Port of Tacoma, numerous private citizens, corporations and countless others have demonstrated great vision in working together toward this goal.”
“We have to work strategically to build and maintain the foundations of a knowledge-based, technology-based economy,” the governor added.
“Our future rests on our capacity to adapt and respond to change. We must stay ahead of the curve -- which is the essence of the word, ‘innovate,’” Locke said. “We all want Washington to become the state that technology-driven, fast-growing, high-paying businesses call home.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Locke promotes innovation at South Sound technology conference
TACOMA - Gov. Gary Locke today called on high-tech professionals at the South Sound Technology 2001 Conference to focus on innovation as a way of life, and to use technology as a tool to power prosperity.“Washington remains the most technology-intensive economy in the nation,” Locke told people from the business, government and education sectors. “We have more than 7,000 high-tech businesses employing more than 76,000 people, paying more than $3.7 billion in wages.”
The governor said a vibrant, “innovation economy” benefits all citizens. “The South Sound is an inspiration for what we need to do throughout the state to sustain and expand a vibrant innovation economy.”
“Washington state is leading the country in building digital government and has been out in front for the last three years as the nation’s ‘Digital State,’” Locke added.
Locke acknowledged honorary co-chairs of the event, U.S. Congressmen Norm Dicks and Adam Smith. “I salute the Congressmen, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, the conference organizers and the South Sound technology community for your leadership in bringing together such an outstanding group of speakers and for attracting such a large and varied audience.”
“The SST conference helps highlight the growing technology in the South Sound region and we are excited by the success of the conference these last two years,” said Dicks.
“We must actively promote the right policies to keep the New Economy moving and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed in it,” said Smith. “This conference provides a forum to hear from industry leaders to help us with these tough policy decisions.”
Cantwell said, “Washington state is at the forefront of the new economy -- a model for the nation in its use of technology in creating new businesses and new opportunities for education and job training -- but we still have a lot of work to do.” She added, “This conference clearly shows that technology can and will play an increasingly vital role in creating a dynamic and integrated state economy that serves the interests of all our citizens.”
The SST conference is focused on technology drivers for the new economy, energy and technology, research and development, the future of telecommunications, technology workforce, cyber security and privacy.
Recently, the non-partisan Council on Competitiveness in Washington D.C. issued a report emphasizing that successful regions develop and capitalize on local strengths. These include skilled workers in specialized areas, broadband communications and regional networks connecting business with local innovative technologies.
Through the proposed Technology Institute at the University of Washington Tacoma, closely aligned with the region’s community and technical colleges and K-12 systems, Locke said Tacoma will greatly expand the regional base of tech-savvy employees available to the local innovative businesses.
The Tacoma area is providing the bandwidth that technology-based and technology-dependent companies demand through the Click! and I-Net networks and the build-out of fiber optic telecommunications elsewhere in the region.
“These initiatives represent a combination of regional leadership, hard work and cooperation across political, geographic and sector boundaries -- that’s a great credit to everyone involved in the South Sound region,” Locke said. “I’m particularly impressed by the exemplary team effort to convince the Legislature to create a technology institute at the University of Washington, Tacoma. The University, the City of Tacoma, the Port of Tacoma, numerous private citizens, corporations and countless others have demonstrated great vision in working together toward this goal.”
“We have to work strategically to build and maintain the foundations of a knowledge-based, technology-based economy,” the governor added.
“Our future rests on our capacity to adapt and respond to change. We must stay ahead of the curve -- which is the essence of the word, ‘innovate,’” Locke said. “We all want Washington to become the state that technology-driven, fast-growing, high-paying businesses call home.”
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