The Ecology of the Silicon Forest

During the past decade, metropolitan Portland has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest growing high technology centers.  The region differs significantly from other metropolitan high tech centers in its industry specializations. The cluster of high tech firms that compose Portland’s Silicon Forest specialize in semiconductors, chip production equipment and software, printers, displays, and software.  Creating new knowledge, as evidenced by research and development, patenting, and rising educational attainment, is closely related to the growth of the industry.  While the region’s specializations have evolved over time, they are clearly rooted in technological competences established in the region decades ago.  This continuing evolution is fueled by the local business culture and supporting institutions like venture capital. Within the metropolitan area, high tech firms are tightly clustered in proximity both to one another and the region’s high tech labor force.  An ecological metaphor, the interdependent and evolving Silicon Forest, usefully describes many of these processes at work in the development of metropolitan Portland’s high technology industry