Advertisement
U.S. markets open in 3 hours 2 minutes
  • S&P Futures

    5,206.00
    -8.75 (-0.17%)
     
  • Dow Futures

    39,192.00
    -31.00 (-0.08%)
     
  • Nasdaq Futures

    18,189.25
    -42.25 (-0.23%)
     
  • Russell 2000 Futures

    2,045.40
    -4.40 (-0.21%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    82.43
    -0.29 (-0.35%)
     
  • Gold

    2,158.70
    -5.60 (-0.26%)
     
  • Silver

    25.13
    -0.14 (-0.53%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0846
    -0.0031 (-0.28%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.3400
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • Vix

    14.61
    +0.28 (+1.95%)
     
  • dólar/libra

    1.2682
    -0.0047 (-0.37%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    150.5280
    +1.4300 (+0.96%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    63,187.55
    -4,682.57 (-6.90%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,721.63
    -0.92 (-0.01%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,003.60
    +263.20 (+0.66%)
     

Why Big Tech is breaking free of Silicon Valley

Google is among a number of Silicon Valley companies expanding outside of their home states. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Google is among a number of Silicon Valley companies expanding outside of their home states. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Looking for a new job in the tech industry? You might want to consider skipping the trip to Silicon Valley and heading to New York City. In a little more than a month, Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), and Google (GOOG, GOOGL)—three of the world’s biggest technology companies—have announced expansions within the Big Apple.

Google's announcement Monday calls for the company to spend more than $1 billion on capital improvements including the leasing or acquisition of three properties on Manhattan's West Side. In total, Google CFO Ruth Porat said in a blog post, the company will have enough new space to more than double its existing 7,000-person workforce in the city. The company's current headquarters are located in a massive building at West 15th Street and the Chelsea Market building next door.

Google's announcement, alongside Amazon's and Apple's, is proof that tech companies are making major moves outside of Silicon Valley and chasing workers across the country. Part of the reason for the move is to break free of the insular nature of Silicon Valley and draw new employees with unique ideas. Of course, moving into regions also gives them a foothold to guide policy and influence their new homes.

Bringing the jobs to the people

Throughout the explosive growth years of the tech industry, thousands of engineers, developers, and coders poured into Silicon Valley with the hopes of snagging a coveted position at one of the area's big-name tech firms.

Cities like New York, however, weren't resting while Silicon Valley scooped up all of those high-paying jobs. In September 2017, Cornell University officially opened its massive Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island between Manhattan's East Side and the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City as part of the city's push to draw tech talent and jobs.

"Increasingly we're seeing tech companies looking for things that are uniquely available in large cities like New York," explained Julie Samuels, executive director of Tech:NYC, a New York-based industry group that seeks to attract tech jobs to the area. Samuels said wish list items companies are searching for in cities include universities, cultural and art institutions, public transportation, and diverse candidate pools.

"With an added 1.7 million square feet and capacity to double its local workforce, Google will increase its contributions to our community while shaping a larger shift in our local economy," Samuels said in a statement following Google's announcement.

"There can be no doubt that the tech sector will be leading the way for New York’s future—and between this move and Amazon’s HQ2 selection, it’s clear our city has the talent and ability to be the tech leader of the future.”

From east to west and in between

It's not just New York City that's benefiting from the growth in tech jobs outside of Silicon Valley. Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; Boston, Massachusetts, and Phoenix, Arizona have seen increased job opportunities from major tech companies. Such locations offer tech companies a way to attract employees who aren't so focused on life in the Valley.

"The Valley creates Valley think, and you're out of touch with real customers in the Valley," explained vice president and analyst at Forrester Research Ted Schadler.

It's not just about being able to attract talent and leaders from outside of Silicon Valley, though. By moving into cities beyond the region, Big Tech can spread its influence to a greater number of industries and institutions.

"They want to have local influence," Schadler explained. "They want to have influence over the communities and institutions in those locations. In New York they want to have influence over financial institutions and the media. In Washington they want to have influence over the government."

With more tech companies expanding outside of the valley, Big Tech will need to be wary of how it plots its expansion. As Amazon proved with the announcement of its HQ2 in Long Island City, Queens, not every neighborhood is willing to welcome these huge companies with open arms.

More from Dan:

Google’s public response to Russian trolls is very different from Facebook’s

Google CEO Sundar Pichai calls for privacy legislation

‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ review: An audacious an accessible fighter

What is Huawei? China crown jewel now in U.S. crosshairs

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@oath.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.finance.yahoo.com/

Advertisement