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.'"
Economics (Score:4, Interesting)
Companies used to locate based on availability of transportation -- rivers, ports etc. Now it's a data pipe.
Re:Not enough people (Score:2, Interesting)
That might not be a bad thing. I live in a city that went from 300,000 people to over two million in about 10 years, and houses went from $30,000 for a nice house to $250,000 for a place where you will be spending 45-60 minutes for a commute. To boot, there are not the Bay Area amenities and no parks either (well, except for Zilker, which requires a taxi to go to.) If you want a zoo, you have to drive 90 miles to another city.
I would be happy to move to a relatively small town of tech-minded people. It would mean that crime would be lower (tech people tend to be intelligent enough to properly defend themselves, or find a way to do that), the bigwigs that foul up local governments wouldn't consider that town a target, and if there are not amenities, they would be put in. Heavy snow? Not an issue if the town builds tunnels or covered walkways.
The trick is to keep the town tech oriented, but keep the celebrities and fashionistas wanting to remain in LA, NYC, or Austin.