High Tech Industry Expanding In The Sunshine State

"Riding the shoulders of its defense, communications and information-technology businesses, Florida has advanced within the ranks of America's biggest high-tech states, exceeded by only a few longtime tech meccas such as Silicon Valley and Boston. A study released Wednesday ranked the Sunshine State fifth nationwide in terms of employment, up from sixth place a year earlier. The state had more than 231,400 high-tech workers last year, a 6 percent increase from 1999.That growth outpaced the nationwide increase of 4.6 percent...The state also posted an 18 percent increase in high-tech exports and a 75 percent jump in venture capital last year." However, pay rates for employees in the state rank among the lowest.