Our November 6 edition explained how technology is helping combat COVID-19 and supporting businesses, workers, and students during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, tech was driving our nation’s economic growth, and it will be the catalyst for our recovery. From creating jobs at a rate outpacing other industries to bolstering global gross domestic product, the tech industry is making significant contributions to economic growth and prosperity. See below for more information about how the tech industry is creating jobs across our country, not just in traditional tech hubs.

Tech Grows Our Nation’s Economy

Tech Companies Have Created Massive Job Growth (Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft)

Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and Facebook have collectively put more than 1 million people to work between 2000 and 2018.

Growth in Computer and Information Technology Occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11 percent between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, and are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs.

Trends in the Information Technology Sector (Brookings Institution)

Researchers estimate that “the digital economy is worth $11.5 trillion globally, equivalent to 15.5 percent of global GDP and has grown two and a half times faster than global GDP over the past 15 years.”

Technology Helped America’s Economy Way More Than We Thought (CNN)

Total business investments climbed by almost a whole percentage point on average for each year between 2002 and 2017.

Coronavirus Killed a lot of Colorado Jobs, but it Also Created a Host of New Ones in Technology (Zoom)

Zoom, which has an office in Denver, said it’s increased its global workforce by 42% since January to 3,400 employees.

Tech Industries in the West Lead State Economic Growth (Amazon, Microsoft)

Chicago Could See Over 2,000 New Tech Jobs Created (Built In Chicago)

What’s New in Tech

Turning Jobs Into Careers, and Creating Even More Opportunities (Amazon)

Amazon announces 100,000 new seasonal jobs, 35,000 employee promotions, and 30,000 Career Choice success stories. Read more here.

What We’re Saying

· Silicon Valley Eager for Biden to Reverse Trump Visa Rules. (The Hill) Read this news feature here.

· TechNet Pushes Cyber Measures in Defense Bill. (CyberScoop) Read this news feature here.

Before You Start Your Weekend

As Microsoft’s TechSpark initiative hits its third anniversary, Microsoft is shining a light on the inspiring partners and people creating economic opportunity in communities across America. Wendy Sandoval is a STEM student and inventor who grew up in the cross-border region of El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. She’s determined to create technology that will change the world and TechSpark is proud to help support the maker space where she can do just that. (Microsoft)