In 2012 the Eugene, Oregon, metro area of the United States was dubbed the Silicon Shire. [1] [2] [3] [4] Like many regions that have taken on Silicon-themed names, [5] the Silicon Shire is home to a thriving technology sector. [6] [7] [8] [9] 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. [10]
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. [11] 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. [12] The region is home to the largest game developer cluster in Oregon, [13] and also is the location of Symantec's third largest site in the world. [14] In addition to technology, the region also boasts a significant healthcare sector as well as food processing, craft breweries, and small-scale agriculture. [15] Regional companies have developed partnerships with local school districts to advance STEM education in the region. [16]
In 2013, companies from the region organized an event at the University of Oregon which gave students and faculty a chance to mingle with representatives from local tech firms. [17] 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. [11] [18] 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. [19]
In 2016, the City of Eugene, the Eugene Water and Electric Board, and the Lane Council of Governments partnered to construct a municipally-owned fiber network called EUGNet. [20] [21] The development of this network and the region's well established tech sector were key factors that led to Eugene being named a "Gigabit City" by the Mozilla Foundation in early 2017. [22] [23] [24] Mozilla offered $150,000 in grants to regional organizations to fund a range of technology projects focused on making technology in the region more inclusive and engaging. [25]
In early 2018, the Silicon Shire region was featured in an article in WIRED Magazine. [26]
In 2012 the Eugene, Oregon, metro area of the United States was dubbed the Silicon Shire. [1] [2] [3] [4] Like many regions that have taken on Silicon-themed names, [5] the Silicon Shire is home to a thriving technology sector. [6] [7] [8] [9] 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. [10]
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. [11] 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. [12] The region is home to the largest game developer cluster in Oregon, [13] and also is the location of Symantec's third largest site in the world. [14] In addition to technology, the region also boasts a significant healthcare sector as well as food processing, craft breweries, and small-scale agriculture. [15] Regional companies have developed partnerships with local school districts to advance STEM education in the region. [16]
In 2013, companies from the region organized an event at the University of Oregon which gave students and faculty a chance to mingle with representatives from local tech firms. [17] 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. [11] [18] 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. [19]
In 2016, the City of Eugene, the Eugene Water and Electric Board, and the Lane Council of Governments partnered to construct a municipally-owned fiber network called EUGNet. [20] [21] The development of this network and the region's well established tech sector were key factors that led to Eugene being named a "Gigabit City" by the Mozilla Foundation in early 2017. [22] [23] [24] Mozilla offered $150,000 in grants to regional organizations to fund a range of technology projects focused on making technology in the region more inclusive and engaging. [25]
In early 2018, the Silicon Shire region was featured in an article in WIRED Magazine. [26]