It is time to recruit some West Coast talent.

Such is the message of a line item in Gov. Janet Napolitano's 2005 budget proposal that calls for $200,000 to fund a two-person state office in Silicon Valley.

"Arizona has to be competitive, and we have to be competitive in our region," Napolitano told the Arizona Republic.

Todd Bankofier, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Technology Council, agrees. He told the Republic that the office would be "a step in the right direction," and that Arizona has much to offer.

"We are well-represented across the technology industry," he said. "We have a business-friendly marketplace. And we have a quality of life which allows us a competitive advantage in attracting workers."

Farrell Quinlan, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Commerce, said in the Republic that California's business climate "has been getting worse and worse," suggesting that Arizona could benefit from seizing such an opportunity.

Napolitano has already opened a Washington, D.C., office to lobby for increased federal funding and the preservation of Arizona's military bases. Quinlan says that the business community generally feels that Arizona gets less than its fair share of federal funding in transportation, workforce development, and research and development. As an example, he said that the state receives 90 cents for every $1 it sends in transportation funds to the federal government

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For more information:

"Napolitano eyes state office in Silicon Valley," Arizona Republic, 01/16/2004