Fewer IT jobs were lost last year
A study released recently by the American Electronics Association (AeA)
showed that in 2004 the U.S. high-tech industry lost 25,000 jobs,
dropping to 5.6 million. This decline in 2004 represents a considerable
slowdown in technology jobs lost, compared to the 333,000 jobs lost in
2003 and the 612,000 jobs lost in 2002.
Cyberstates 2005 found that all but four states lost high-tech jobs in
2003, the most recent year for which state data are available.
California and Texas lost the greatest number of tech jobs, shedding
some 67,800 and 32,900 jobs, respectively.
New York and Illinois were also among the five states that lost the most
high-tech jobs. Despite these losses, California and Texas remained the
leading cyberstates by employment, followed by New York and Florida.
California (916,000), Texas (446,000), New York (305,000), Florida
(259,000), and Virginia (244,000) led the nation in high-tech employment
in 2003.
However, Virginia displaced Massachusetts in 2003, becoming the fifth
largest state by technology employment. And, while Colorado remained the
nation's leading cyberstate by concentration of high-tech workers,
Virginia also moved up by this metric to second place.
Stellent lauded in report
Eden Prairie-based Stellent Inc., a provider of content management
products, was among the companies Forrester invited to participate in
its report, "The Forrester Wave: Web Content Management, Q1 2005."
In this evaluation, Stellent was cited as a leader in both the external
and internal site-publishing scenarios. Forrester is an independent
technology research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking
advice about technology's impact on business.
3M grant to fund library security
3M Co. has awarded $1.5 million in grants for improved security
technology at 100 middle and high school libraries nationwide, the
company said.
The grants, made through the company's Salute to Schools program,
provides school libraries with 3M detection systems to help reduce the
loss of valuable materials. The detection systems are placed in library
exits and the schools receive security strips used to mark materials.
The average grant has a value of about $15,000.
Digi-Key teams with Micron
Micron Technology Inc. of Boise, Idaho, and Thief River Falls-based
Digi-Key Corp. jointly announced Micron's memory products through
Digi-Key's worldwide distribution channel.
Customers now have additional access to purchase Micron products through
a streamlined process that includes on-line purchasing for prototype,
sample, and production quantities 24 hours a day.
Digi-Key makes and distributes electronic components.
Cargill, St. Kate's work to attract women to IT
Cargill Inc. has awarded the College of St. Catherine's a three-year,
$270,000 grant to encourage young women to pursue careers in information
technology, the school announced Thursday.
The gift will primarily support activities in St. Catherine's Center of
Excellence for Women, Science and Technology, the Information Systems
program, and the Department of Multicultural and International Programs
and Students.
The grant will also support the college's business and technology camp
for high school girls; scholarships to attract young women of diverse
backgrounds to the IT program; and staff support for recruiting,
outreach and mentoring activities.
Digital River opens Taiwan branch
Eden Prairie-based Digital River Inc. is expanding its Asian-Pacific
presence with a new branch office in Taipei, Taiwan.
Digital River builds and manages online e-commerce services for software
publishers, distributors and online retailers. The company said its new
office in Taiwan will provide localized sales, support and account
management.
Best Buy gives schools tech funding
Richfield-based Best Buy Co. Inc. gave more than $3 million this spring
to schools nationwide to bring interactive technology into classrooms.
Best Buy gave 1,167 schools across the country gifts of at least $2,500
each through its "Te@ch" program.
Best Buy gave Minnesota schools 53 Te@ch awards with a total value of
$132,500.
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