DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia not among future economic hot spots, study says
Massachusetts, Washington, Maryland poised for growth with educated, skilled workers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
If you don’t like this economy (and who does?), and want to be part of a new economy instead, you might want to move to Massachusetts or Washington or Maryland.
Those states lead the nation in having the right stuff for a “new economy” of highly skilled, highly technical and highly paid workers, according to a study funded by the nonprofit Kauffman Foundation.
• 1. Massachusetts
• 2. Washington
• 3. Maryland
• 4. Delaware
• 5. New Jersey
• 21. Georgia
Source: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation's 2008 State New Economy Index
HOW GEORGIA STACKS UP
Rankings in key categories:
• No. 23 in base of high-tech professionals
• No. 35 in workforce education
• No. 41 in immigration of knowledge workers
• No. 6 in fastest-growing firms
• No. 30 in initial public offerings
Source: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation's 2008 State New Economy Index
BUSINESS
Latest Headlines:
• More business news
• Business photo galleries
Such states also are more likely to emerge from the current economic crisis a little sooner and in better shape than others, said Robert Atkinson, president of the research group Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, which conducted the study.
“Certainly, they’re in the best or at least better position,” Atkinson said.
Georgia ranked No. 21 on the list, down from No. 18 six years earlier.
In developing its State New Economy Index, Atkinson’s nonprofit research group considered everything from workers’ education levels and each state’s number of high-tech jobs to exports, entrepreneurship and initial public offerings.
Massachusetts, which has transformed itself from a low-wage manufacturing hub into a hot spot for biotech, software development and medical research, topped the list in both 1999 and 2002.
With the exception of Washington state, which was No. 2 on this year’s list, most of the top “new economy” states were in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic regions. Maryland was No. 3, followed by Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut and Virginia.
On the bottom of the list were Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama and Wyoming.
Atkinson said many of the lowest-ranked states have traditionally pursued a strategy of offering incentives to attract relatively low-wage, out-of-state employers - call centers, manufacturers and others - to their back yards for short-term job gains without considering future implications.
“That strategy really fell apart as companies moved to (even cheaper) places like Mexico and India and China,” he said.
More successful “new economy” states, on the other hand, invested in programs designed to expand their high-tech workforce, foster entrepreneurship and promote global trade.
The study highlighted different states’ strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the building blocks of new high-tech, high-wage state economies.
Georgia, at No. 21, got high scores for its number of fastest-growing firms and its general “economic dynamism,” but got relatively poor marks for its low immigration of knowledge workers and its manufacturing base.
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation is a nonprofit public policy research group that seeks to advise government and other policy makers on innovation and digital economy issues.
The Kauffman Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation to help foster economic growth.
Services »
Comments
By Bob LeBlah
Nov 20, 2008 2:49 AM | Link to this
So what, don't get your knickers in a wad folks. This same great report had Atlanta at 18th place 6 years ago. I didn't see that the sky fell anytime since then, still at the tops of metro areas in terms of growth.
Everybody everywhere is hurting right now. Don't confuse your current economic situation with shangri la everywhere else.
Atlanta and Georgia did not get to the place they are now by believing some study from biased east and west coast know it alls. Georgia has never been at the top of their lists and there is no reason for any of us to need their approval.
By Noni
Nov 19, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
I have lived most of my life in the SE US. Now, in Georgia, of Mississippi origin, would prefer to be in Arkansas. Have lived near Buffalo, NY (ugh!), have visited NYC and Seattle. No way would I move to any of the states at the top of the list. We have a friend who moved from Calif. to Chattanooga, was offered a transfer to Conn., said "No, thanks, I'll retire here, now." We have our problems in the south, but so does the north. Plus the weather factor. It is in the 50's today and I am cold!
By Facing up to own mistakes
Nov 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Georgia has an identity issue. As an example, when people see New York States, they think the financial capital of the world (probably no longer valid), California they think high tech (Silicon Valley) so I ask you, what is Georgia known for? I would have to say the Center of Disease Control (CDC) but no one is really using that as an advantage! Georgia should begin to think about this point.
By gatl
Nov 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Will Georgia's State School Superintendent go back and prove -- once again -- that she is as smart as a 5th grader (not smarter than mind you), and give the money she might win to businesses who have to train kids to make it in Georgia? Too many of our schools are flunking the course -- and not improving!! No wonder we are losing jobs!!
By BPJ
Nov 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Calm down, folks. The study is important only if you believe that states are the relevant economic communities. Most current economic thinking emphasizes metro areas as innovation centers, and by that standard, metro Atlanta, with its many universities and highly educated population, holds up well. Unfortunately, there really are "two Georgias" (not that this tells us anything about any particular individual in Atlanta or in rural Georgia).
By chuck
Nov 19, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Real world, real jobs that can compete at world class levels demand and educated workforce, That is fact. Sorry for those fear education, as they probably have little and maybe HS. The future is more technical each day, and the only reason 'growth in industry: in south is they sold you out with tax breaks that in end, you, not corp pays. Does not take PH.d to know that if you put nut A on bolt be at work, you can be replaced anywhere in world, if you can program or repair a machine to do it, you cannot. So GA choice, spend of education and get ROI, or no taxes and no education and no ROI. simple as that!
By chuck
Nov 19, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Real world, real jobs that can compete at world class levels demand and educated workforce, That is fact. Sorry for those fear education, as they probably have little and maybe HS. The future is more technical each day, and the only reason 'growth in industry: in south is they sold you out with tax breaks that in end, you, not corp pays. Does not take PH.d to know that if you put nut A on bolt be at work, you can be replaced anywhere in world, if you can program or repair a machine to do it, you cannot. So GA choice, spend of education and get ROI, or no taxes and no education and no ROI. simple as that!
By jimbo
Nov 19, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Georgia, with all of it's problems still
has the best of all worlds in the "new economy" Good weather. excellent transportation, decent schools, an educated business class and most of all a
State of "can do" optimism. If the Fed Gov't and the lecherous banks will just get out of the way and let the entreprenurial sprit lead the way.....
we shall come out of this debacle in a
couple of years!!!
By trusouth
Nov 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Make sure your research is correct at least on the state of Washington. Last time I looked Georgia has a fairly high state income tax, which Washington does not. Washington has a higher literacy rate. Also, Seattle is one of the few large cities that people actually live, work and walk after dark. I love my home state of Georgia, but it does have its issues that need to be addressed.
By Rick
Nov 19, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Obama is a Harvard Graduate- Magna Cum Laude
Blue State = PROGRESS
Red State = REGRESS
Eight years of backward thinking has created this economic mess and its going to take years to clean it up.
Time for a green economy. There has to be something to employ the blue collar workers or else we are back to regressive religious fundamentalism (again). After the Information Technology revolution the Green Revolution is the next big thing. Think about the massive amount of opportunity that exists...it could create jobs for an army of people. Updating homes, infrastructure, utilities, commerce, etc. WOW!
[1 2 3 4 5] next
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.
Request a comment be removed