Nevada Ranks First in the Nation in Growth of High-Tech Exports; Increased by 284% since 1997.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2001

Nevada's high-technology exports almost tripled since 1997. The state has the nation's largest high-tech export growth rate from 1997 to 2000, an increase of 264%, according to Cyberstates 2001: A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, a new analytical report released today by AeA and The Nasdaq Stock Market.

AeA's Cyberstates 2001 report found that Nevada's tech industry has been growing steadily since 1994. Nevada's high-tech industry added 9,033 jobs between 1994 and 2000 to the state's economic base. Starting in 1994 with 10,770 jobs, the state's technology employment increased by 84% which ranks third in the nation for states with fewer than 25,000 tech workers. Nevada is one of only four states considered a "leapfrog" state in AeA's report, jumping up from a ranking of 43rd in high-tech employment to a ranking of 39th.

Nevada's high-tech jobs are also high-paying jobs. Nevada's high-tech average wage is $47,593, which is 63% higher than the average private sector wage of $30,381 in the state.

Cyberstates 2001 also examines 2000 electronics merchandise exports from each state. Nevada exported $191 million in high-tech goods in 1997. This number jumped drastically to $697 million in 2000 -- the fastest growth rate in the nation at 264%. Exports from the high-technology industry represent 47 percent of the total exports from Nevada.

"The data released by AeA in their Cyberstates report further confirms and validates that the state of Nevada is effectively making strides to diversify the region's economy," says Chuck Alvey, president and chief executive officer of EDAWN. "Traditionally known for gaming and tourism, we're encouraged to see the data that supports what the industry already knows to be true -- Nevada is a great place to have a high-tech business."

Nationally, Cyberstates 2001 shows that high-tech industry employment totaled 5.3 million in 2000, compared to 5.1 million in 1999. This 4.6 percent increase was the slowest since 1994.

Cyberstates 2001 is the fifth and most comprehensive edition of AeA's Cyberstates reports. The study includes nine chapters detailing national and state trends in employment, wages, and exports. Venture capital investments, research and development (R&D) expenditures, and computer and Internet home use are also examined. The report includes state rankings for each indicator. Cyberstates 2001 is based on the most current U.S. government data.

AeA members can purchase the Cyberstates 2001 report for $95; non-members for $190. Call AeA at 800/284-4232 or 408/987-4200. Cyberstates 2001 is part of AeA's cyber report series which includes Cybernation 2.0, CyberEducation, and Cybercities.

AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade group, representing over 3,000 U.S.-based technology companies. Membership spans the industry product and service spectrum, from semiconductors and software to computers, Internet and telecommunications systems and services. With 17 regional U.S. councils and offices in Brussels and Beijing, AeA offers a unique global policy grassroots capability and a wide portfolio of valuable business services and products for the high-tech industry. For 57 years, AeA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community.

What Does High Tech Mean for Nevada?

-- 19,803 high-tech workers (39th ranked cyberstate)

-- Nevada added 9,033 high-tech jobs between 1994 and 2000, an 84% increase

-- Technology exports in Nevada have almost tripled since 1997

-- High-tech makes up 47% of the total exports for the state

-- Communication Services employment jumped from 5,500 jobs to 9,500 jobs from
1994 to 1999

-- Nevada more than doubled the number of high-tech establishments in the state
between 1994 and 1999

-- High-tech firms employ 22 of every 1,000 private sector workers

-- High-tech workers earned an average wage of $47,593, or 65% more than the
average private sector wage

-- Nevada ranks 10th in the nation for concentration of exports with 47% of the
total exports for the state in electronic goods.

-- Nevada's high-tech employment is up 5.88% from 1999 to 2000 (ranked 12th in
the nation)

-- Nevada's R&D expenditures increased 161% from 1993 to 1998 (ranked 4th in
the nation)

Nevada's National Industry Segment Rankings:

-- 1st in high-tech export growth rate

-- 3rd in high-tech employment growth

-- 26th in home internet access

-- 39th in high-tech employment (up from 43rd)

-- 33rd in R&D per capita

-- 42nd in venture capital investments

Source: Cyberstates 2001 data are for 2000 unless otherwise noted 1999 data are the most current for wages and industry segment jobs

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology (www.aeanet.org)