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http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://... Cache timeout seems to take a while, so posting the brief synopsis here. The article lists a number of cities (actually locations) with a corresponding news article claiming that particular city/location "The Next Silicon Valley". Locations listed were: US: Mississippi, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, Jacksonville, San Diego, Detroit, New York, Asheville, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Sacramento, Arkansas, Denver Europe: Ireland, Russia, Ukraine, France, Berlin, Prague, Lisbon Apac: Beijing, Vietnam, Sydney, Philippines, India, China, Singapore Middle East: Israel Americas: Mexico, Cuba Others: Small Town America |
I really liked Brad Feld's take on this which was that trying to be the "next" Silicon Valley was a losing proposition, instead just focus on removing barriers for people who want to innovate and you'll get the economic growth you desire. It is amazing how unsettling that is for local governments.
I talked with a state representative from New Mexico on a flight to Denver who wondered what it would take to make New Mexico the next "Silicon Valley". I asked if they had enforceable non-compete agreements there (which they do), and then asked what it would take to change that. He said it would be really really hard given the commercial interests. And I said, "Well that answers your question, New Mexico will never be the next Silicon Valley." It kind of stunned him when he understood it.