Five Questions

The Gulfshore could become a thriving technology center with help from the new Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership. The public-private partnership arose from Florida Gulf Coast University’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which was held last fall. Urged by Collier County economic development leaders, WilsonMiller Web architect Kevin Barnhill is coordinating the initiative, which so far represents about 45 business, academic and economic development interests. The hope is to form a technology cluster—interconnected and interdependent businesses, institutions, suppliers and other entities—to create jobs, compete effectively and diversify the local economic base.

1. What elements are needed to build a cluster?

Networking, [outlets] showcasing our successes, a common voice, identifying roadblocks. Keeping talent in the area [has been a challenge]. They’ll stay in [cluster cities]; they can hop from job to job. Here, there aren’t that many possibilities. [Yet] a lot of people don’t realize how much tech there is here.

2. What goals does the group have?

[According to] Gary Jackson, FGCU economist, technology is the second-highest paying job [category] here next to financial, yet it’s one of the smallest. [As a measure of success], there is a ratio: For every technology or innovation service that we consume here, does it come from our region or does it come from outside of our region? Our number, which should be 1, is .2, so for every service we consume here, four are from outside our region.

3. Why do we stand a chance of building a technology cluster here?