Another High Tech Center of the World
Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

Virginia has established itself as a high tech leader among the states. The Milken Institute lists Virginia at fifth among the states just behind Massachusetts, California, Colorado, and Maryland on its Technology and Science Index. Aside from Maryland, we left our neighbors in the dust: North Carolina was 10th, Tennessee was 34th, and West Virginia was 46th. Georgia as a Southern state known for its healthy economy was 18th. In Virginia, 56 percent of the high tech jobs are in Northern Virginia.

I introduced legislation setting up the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) in the General Assembly and was its first chairman. I was delighted to accept an invitation from the government of Taiwan to be part of a delegation of twelve legislators to visit that country to get to know its technology business as well as its political leaders.

The May 16, 2005, issue of Business Week gave me an informative perspective on what it termed “Taiwan’s Global Economic Clout.” According to that report, Taiwanese companies manufacture thousands of items essential to the global digital economy even though most of these items appear under someone else’s name and most are made in mainland China. Estimates run from 40 to 80 percent of China’s exports in information and communication technology hardware that are made in Taiwanese-owned factories.

The Business Week statistics are eye-opening. According to a chart accompanying the article, Taiwanese industries are globally the number one provider of chip foundry services (70% of an $8.9 billion market), number one producer of notebook PC’s (72% of a $22 billion market), number one provider of LCD monitors (68% of a $14 billion market), and number one producer of PDA’s (79% of a $1.8 billion market). Taiwanese industries are globally number two in producing computer servers (33% of an $1.8 billion market) and number two producer of digital still cameras (34% of a $2 billion market).

The Northern Virginia of Taiwan is apparently the Sun Hat-sen, a 43-mile highway lined with high-tech firms, universities, and research centers. The manufacturing capacity of China is often directed by the management and marketing expertise of the Taiwanese in this area.

Since we are in the region, Jane and I will be spending another ten days touring in Thailand and Cambodia. This part of the trip will be for our own personal and cultural enrichment.

My office will be open while I am away. Just call my legislative assistant during weekday mornings at 703.758.9733 or email me at kenplum@aol.com. My column will continue in this space while I am away, and I look forward to sharing with you in future columns some of the things I learned on my trip to another high-tech center of the world.

Announcements

Congratulations to Fox Mill Elementary School as it celebrates 25 years of putting children first with an Open House on Friday, June 10 7:00-9:00 p.m. The event will feature performances by the 6th grade chorus and orchestra, students reading poems, a time capsule, and a “memorabilia museum” with photos and memorabilia of Fox Mill Elementary through the years.

Getting the Dirt Out: Clean Streams Workshop! Muddy backyard streams are a major source of pollution in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. “Clean Streams” is a workshop to show citizens how to identify and report erosion and sediment control problems at construction sites, an easy way to help keep local waterways healthy for drinking and recreation. This regional workshop is set for Saturday, June 11, 8:30 a.m. sign-up and refreshments, with workshop 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Sully District Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly. The workshop is free, but you must register. Contact Katherine Mull at kmull@novaregion.or or 703.642.4625.

Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins will host the Lake Anne Revitalization Charrette in Reston on June 16 17, and 18, 2005. This three-day, intensive planning workshop is designed to build consensus for the residents, merchants and other community stakeholders on ways to enhance design of the Lake Anne Revitalization area. Meetings as follows: June 16 and 17, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Hunters Woods RCC, 2310 Colts Neck Road; June 16, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive; June 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Lake Anne Elementary School. Contact Goldie Harrison or Alisha Dickason at 703.478.0283 to confirm your attendance.

You will note in the calendar below that I have scheduled my State of the Commonwealth Business Breakfast for Thursday, June 30, 8:00 a.m., at the Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston. At this event I give my assessment of where we are in Virginia and where we need to be headed. It is a candid, no-holds-barred discussion! Let us know if you would like to attend. It is also a campaign fundraiser. Call 703.758.9733 for information.

Next Tuesday, June 14, is the Primary Election. Don’t forget to vote. If you have questions about the ballot or where to vote, feel free to call my office mornings at 703.758.9733. Eligible voters may vote absentee in person at the Office of the General Registrar, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. Saturday, June 11, 2005, is the final day for in-person absentee voting.