Austin Sui Generis?: The Strength and Resilience of the High-Tech Complex

Since the late 1980s, the growth of the Austin regional economy has outpaced that of other medium-sized high-tech centers. Austin’s economic expansion was based on four private sector growth drivers: computer and office equipment, electronic and electrical equipment, software, and research and engineering services. Each sector showed rapid employment growth, a strong regional export posture, and robust growth in the number of establishments. However, despite this impressive performance, questions linger about the stability and dynamism of this high-tech complex.