Report: Austin tech sector will remain hot

Growth in Austin's technology industry is likely to continue apace this year, with semiconductor and software companies leading the way, a new study shows.

"The biggest finding is that all the large semiconductor and software companies are going to be adding a surprisingly large number of people," says John Meadows, general manager of the Austin office of Simon Management Group, which conducted the study.

Average growth in employment among engineers and programmers in those areas is likely to be 20 percent as local companies continue to increase their research and development spending, the study shows.

"Not only does this report dispel the rumors of the demise of our software industry and the sluggishness of our semiconductor industry, but it demonstrates that Austin's technology sector, particularly in these two areas, has recovered from the lull of a few years ago," Meadows says. "Companies are adding staff, engineers, and programmers and releasing new products. Combine that with a continuation in start-ups and an active university incubator and licensing office, 2007 is a great year for technology innovation in Austin."

Simon Management conducted the study as part of its partnership with the Austin Technology Council, which has posted the full report on its Web site at www.austintechnologycouncil.org .