Are Texas Web Designers living in the New Silicon Valley?
Unemployment is now above 6% nationwide. The cost of living is ridiculous. And now, we’ve just bailed out the banking industry to the tune of $1 trillion. The question isn’t are we in a recession, but rather, will we be entering a depression? Recently it was announced that GM may even be at risk of filing bankruptcy. So, many are asking themselves, what should I do? Is there a profession or geographic region that has at least some stability? Yes. Texas is one of them. And Texas Web Designers are proving it!
However, much of it is also due to the increase in the technology sector that the major metropolitan areas of Texas have experienced. Some even refer to these areas as the New Silicon Valleys. In fact, Dallas is the birthplace of the integrated circuit. What does this mean for Texas Web Designers? Well, in short, business is good.
A number of legislative and tort reforms have allowed small and large businesses alike to thrive in the DFW, Houston and Austin metroplex. One of the bills that will greatly affect Texas Web Designers is the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, created in 2005, which will devote more than $200 Million to high-tech businesses, creating jobs and growth in the Texas economy.
Year over year, the technology sector has held stronger than almost any other sector in the state. This is no news to Texas Web Designers. The information industry (ISPs, web search portals, broadcasting and telecom) have only lost 100 jobs from May 2007 to May 2008. Compare that to the manufacturing industry or agriculture, and it becomes clear why Texas is quickly becoming the New Silicon Valley. Many even refer to Austin as “Silicon Hills”, and the N. Dallas area as “Silicon Prairie”, due to the large population of high-tech companies like EDS and Texas Instruments.
Surprisingly, the construction industry has also held quite strong in Texas. In fact, it has witnessed almost a 4% increase from May 2007, adding an additional 25K jobs. Likewise, the state’s leisure and hospitality as well as education and health services industries experienced similar growth, adding over 70K jobs altogether. The upshot of all this is that Texas Web Designers have had more work than they can handle in some cases. But the question remains, is this good for all Texas businesses? Well, yes and no.
Sure, economic prosperity is a good thing. But any time demand exceeds supply, you run the risk of monopoly-like practices: poor service, high prices, exploitative practices. To curb this, businesses must really do their homework when outsourcing their marketing and PR. If you’re considering a new website, do a search for Texas Web Designers. If you’re looking past the first page, you’ve gone too far. The elite tend to rise to the top. Stick with your first four or five companies to get some price quotes. Beyond that, and you’re working too hard.
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