The economic downturn has had a negative impact on nearly every business in some way, but the technology sector on the Central Coast seems to have been less negatively affected than others, according to the results of the Chamber's 2010 Technology Forecast.

“We were really surprised by results of the technology survey, which launched earlier this year,” said Brian Weiss, chair of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Advocacy Committee (TAC), which revised the technology survey from previous years and analyzed the results. “An astounding 41.5 percent of technology-related respondents said that the economic climate had either a positive effect or no effect on business.”

Based on the survey results, this year’s TAC made several recommendations to the Chamber and the community. These suggestions include offering continued support for initiatives, programs, etc. to develop and enhance high-speed Internet connectivity to allow for more telecommuting and industry growth, and enhancing air transportation so Central Coast technology companies can invite clients or easily visit potential clients out of the area.

“Many of the open-ended answers from in the survey results showed that bandwidth is a technology trend that will impact the economic vitality and growth of the technology industry,” Weiss said. “It’s important that the community recognize this and think about how the Central Coast will continue to compete with other areas in regard to our information technology infrastructure.”

In the 2010 Technology Forecast, released today, there are many indications that the Central Coast’s technology industry is doing very well for itself. The goal is that the information contained in the report can be used as an economic development tool to help the Chamber achieve its revised six-point economic strategy outlined in the 2010 Economic Vision document.

Every other year, the TAC conducts a technology survey to collect information about the types of technology-related businesses in the area, whether they are doing well and what business-related advantages and disadvantages they perceive the Central Coast has. This year’s survey collected 215 completed responses, which is much higher than previous years.

Recommendations from a past Technology Forecast included supporting a Technology Park at Cal Poly. As a result, the Chamber strongly supported the Cal Poly Technology Park, which held its grand opening in October of this year.  

For more information or to read the 2010 Technology Forecast, visit www.tac.slochamber.org.