Update on Arizona's Technology Industry Strategy

Arizona’s concentration in technology industries that are primary producers of new hardware, software and electronic technologies has declined, while those that integrate and embed technologies into their products, services and systems are on the rise. To ensure the state’s competitive position going forward, Arizona must create and add value to retain jobs in the producer sector and encourage further growth and innovation in the embedded sectors. This is the message of Building from a Position of Strength: Arizona Advanced Communications and Information Technology (ACIT) Roadmap, released recently by the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Arizona Board of Regents.

Primary ACIT sectors – computer and peripheral equipment, semiconductor and electronic components, communications equipment and services and software and data processing – have long been strong drivers for Arizona’s economy. Embedded ACIT sectors include navigational instruments, aerospace, research and development (R&D) firms and corporate administrative offices. During the recent economic downturn, Arizona’s embedded sectors actually added 1,900 net jobs between ’98-’02, while primary ACIT sectors lost almost 4,300 jobs over the same period.

Here for more.