Information and Technology

An Overview of a Humboldt County Industry Cluster

Brett Benson, Intern to Professor Steven Hackett

August 2002

Sources:

California Employment Development Department

Times Standard

US Census Bureau

Elements of the Information and Technology Industry Cluster:

SIC Code 3633: (RADIO & TV COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT)

SIC Code 3679: (ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, NEC)

SIC Code 7371: (COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SERVICES)

SIC Code 7372: (PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE)

SIC Code 7373: (COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN)

SIC Code 7374: (DATA PROCESSING AND PREPARATION)

SIC Code 7375: (INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SERVICES)

SIC Code 7379: (COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES, NEC)

Industry Cluster Overview:

This industry cluster is seen as having the potential for providing exciting new opportunities for our community. Employment has been steadily growing over the last decade. The latest peak in the year 2000 was at 224 workers. The ability to cyber-commute is a powerful tool to attract outside investment into our community while at the same time offer local businesses access to distant markets.

According to data provided by the Employment Development Department, far and away the best year for average earnings was 1999 at over $42,000. The current average is approximately $30,000. Total self-employment, as well as the percent of self-employment within the industry has steadily risen between 1997 and 1999. This information seems to imply we are getting more high paying jobs in the community.

One absolutely vital issue to this industry is the completion of a fiber optic line connecting us to the bay area and the rest of the world. Currently, Cal Trans and Pacific Bell are waiting to go to court on Aug 2nd to settle a dispute as to who is responsible for laying the last 21 miles of cable.

This delay has been difficult for local technology companies because they depend on Pacific Bell for transmitting out of the area. For example, Cox Communications can’t operate at their full capacity even though their system is ready because there just isn’t enough room for the electronic traffic to move in and out of the area.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this industry is it’s potential to give local small businesses access to distant markets. If local artisans can find a way to sell their good or service over the Internet they need not suffer for wanting to live in our relatively rural area. Also, if small businesses can flourish we are more likely to maintain our local culture.

Finally, as new technology comes into the area we can benefit locally by having more and better goods and services provided. It has the potential to reduce the extent of our isolation to the rest of the world and keep our local businesses competitive. Also, under-productive areas of the county can be targeted in order to receive assistance in development of this blossoming field of commerce.

Examples of Products and Services

·Internet service

· Computer programming

·Consulting

·Database services

·Customer services

Key Issues

·Completion of fiber optic line

·Providing more equal opportunities to technology

·New technology integrating with older industries

·New technology assisting in countywide goals

Potential Future Opportunities

·Achievement of a higher standard of living

·Assistance in new industry development

·Creation of local, regional, and worldwide networks

·Potential ladder to pull under-productive peoples and areas out of poverty

·Common community goal for use of technology

·Gain recognition for quality goods and services

Industry Needs

·Community workshops

·Funding for new businesses

·Links to already established local industries