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An emerging leader in a critical field

While the Greater Lansing area might be better known for its industrial heritage, we’ve quickly become a leader in the information technology (IT) revolution. In fact, our state is the country’s 4^th-largest high-tech employer, and a number of local IT companies made the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the country’s fastest growing private companies. As IT continues to play a vital and growing role across industries, Greater Lansing is well positioned to capitalize on our leadership position.

Greater Lansing Information Technology Highlights

• More than 300 local IT companies employ roughly 4000 local residents and more than 9000 residents have IT-related jobs

• IT jobs can be found in virtually every industry sector including insurance, banking, education and government

• IBM’s first global delivery center for application services is located at Michigan State University and is a resource that will create 1,500 jobs over the next five years

• 33.5% growth in this industry sector from 2001-2006

• Segment contributes $869 million to the local economy

• Capital Area IT Council builds awareness of local IT resources and supports efforts to develop the industry

Top 5 sectors within this industry cluster

Sector	Adjusted Employment in Tri-County Region*
Computer Systems Design and Related Services	1596
Data Processing, Posting, and Related Services	584
Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers	559
Software Publishers	233
Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance	100

*Weighted to reflect the portion of this sector that’s dedicated to this industry cluster, not total number of employees.

Source: Regional Asset Assessment Report of the Lansing Metropolitan Region; August, 2009 (Appendix B)

Affordable IT labor costs

Greater Lansing has a highly skilled IT workforce and competitive wages.

Standard Occupational Classification Code	Occupation	Mean Hourly Wage in Lansing-East Lansing	Mean Hourly Wage in MI	Mean Hourly Wage in US
15-0000	Computer and Mathematical Science Occupations	$29.54	$32.90	$35.82

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Tapping into the resources of Michigan State University—one of the country’s IT leaders

Having access to the extensive IT resources of Michigan State University (MSU) puts us in an enviable position when it comes to IT research and innovation—and helps us attract and retain top IT professionals.

Here are just a few of the ways our IT industry benefits from the presence of MSU:

TelFarm—this initiative is helping famers maintain electronic financial records.

Center for Leadership of the Digital Enterprise—offered through the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, this research center studies how firms can become successful digital organizations.

Electronic Medical Records—developed in conjunction with MSU’s HealthTeam, a network of University physicians. This web site provides electronic data management—recognized as a critical way to cut costs and improve the quality of medical care—and delivers medical information to patients, healthcare providers, staff and the general public.

Ratings/Rankings

• #18 in the nation among all computer science graduate programs

• 42% of area residents are “early-adopters” of new technology

• 100 bachelor’s degrees, 40 master’s degrees and 10 doctoral degrees are awarded annually by MSU’s computer science program and the University also has a joint program in Electrical and Computer Engineering