With companies like Logitech, TSMC, Silicon Forest Electronics, SEH America, and others calling SW Washington home, computer and electronics is a strong legacy cluster for the region. It’s also a wonderful growth opportunity as the world sees growing demand in clean technology, automation, and computer hardware needs.
Research suggests that emerging software and startup businesses are now looking for communities that offer a high quality of living and access to a strong talent pool. Given SW Washington’s location and growing software community anchored by companies such as Zoom Info, Home Depot Quote Center, and many others, the region has a solid opportunity to grow its computer software cluster with unique specializations in network and systems design, web development, and the emerging fintech sector.
The market size of the Solar Power industry in the U.S. has grown 15.0% per year on average between 2017 and 2022. The sales of electric vehicles in the United States more than doubled in 2021. With a strong legacy in computer and electronics, available employment/industrial lands, and a skilled workforce, SW Washington has a competitive foundation for supporting growth in clean technology with a specific focus on the technologies associated with solar energy and battery.
With companies such as Farwest Steel, Vigor, Columbia Machine, and others, SW Washington has a long history of metals and machinery manufacturing. While production employment across the U.S. is declining, our region has withstood this trend. This is largely because its specialization in this sector has centered on advanced skills such as motor manufacturing, pump manufacturing, and sophisticated steel fabrication. Additionally, SW Washington has a skilled talent base from which to draw expertise in this sector.
With Absci, Twist, Genentech, and other companies, the greater Portland-Vancouver region’s life sciences cluster is a top 10 emerging cluster in the U.S. that offers a substantial opportunity for job creation and firm formation. While life sciences can be a broad cluster, Clark County’s life sciences strengths and competitive advantages are centered around the Biotech subsector and manufacturing.
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