Is Montana the Next Big Data Hub? 164
rye (208438) writes "Montana is positioning itself as the next hub for big data and cyber security. With companies like Symantec and IBM investing heavily in high-tech development, the opening of University of Montana's new Cyber Innovation Laboratory, and statewide competitions such as this weekend's Montana Cyber Triathlon (which had the coolest trophy ever), the momentum is strong. Cheap labor, cheap space and the Northern Tier backbone (with stretches over 600 miles across the width of Montana) are all contributing to the new tech growth. Even Congress is jumping on the bandwagon: Montana Rep. Steve Daines, a member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security, recently said 'Technology has removed geography as a constant.'"
Technology has removed geography as a constant (Score:4, Insightful)
So, how's Montana doing on the whole "we love a diverse population that looks like the whole world" thing?
Not enough people (Score:3, Insightful)
Montana's total population is just slightly above 1 million. SF Bay Area is more like 7.4 million with a much higher percentage of tech workers. So, no, Montana isn't going to be the next tech hub because there aren't enough workers there. Might be a place for DC's if there's enough bandwidth.
Re:Cheap Labor (Score:4, Insightful)
When even a modest house is $1,000,000 in San Francisco [slate.com], you don't have to wonder.....
Recruiting? (Score:3, Insightful)
I would think if this was even somewhat true it would be evident from attempts to recruit talent from outside Montana. I haven't heard or seen any postings to attract experienced talent. This sounds like another "Promote the story to get more funds from the government" and press for the local politicians to start another mediocre fake Silicon Valley. Another place to put technology that only needs cheap inexperienced labor from the local schools. A warehouse for servers where the only talent needed is ability to push a button for hard reboot and pull out a drive or motherboard... A+ Certified only requirement, unless thats too expensive. The more experienced employees will still be elsewhere remoting in when needed. :-)
Or am I just being too harsh
Re:Economics (Score:2, Insightful)
Transportation still matters when you're making physical goods.
Re:Cheap Labor (Score:5, Insightful)
Pardon me, while I snort with derision at the notion that Starbucks is a measure of sophistication and diversity.
Re:Not enough people (Score:2, Insightful)
I live in Minnesota and have visited the Bay Area a couple of times. Amenities, you are spot on: they are a little expensive, but they are there, and certainly more interesting and diverse than what we can obtain in Minnesota.
But what people in the Bay Area call "parks" we call "walking out your front door" in Minnesota.
Also, Muir Woods? I'm happy that there is some patch of land that still has trees in the Bay Area, but it was kind of sad seeing how many people flocked to that place on a holiday weekend. I can't imagine that there was a whole lot of "woodsy" feeling left by the time all of those people were packed into it. Having said that, I did encounter some very nice parks/woods/trails *well outside* of the Bay Area in Northern CA.