Western governors focus on internationalization, immigration and ways to build their regional economies

Eight Western governors and three Canadian premiers focused on internationalization and immigration on Sunday as they searched for ways to build their regional economies and find solutions to problems that include increased demands for health care and education.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, said western states are not only competing with each other for high-tech businesses, but with other countries, like India, as technology breaks down barriers to trade.

‘‘I think what we’re seeing is that we can have technology in places like Montana and North Dakota because of broadband, because of the ability to communicate rapidly,” author and futurist Joel Kotkin told leaders at the Western Governors’ Association conference. ‘‘We can move primary technology from a place like Silicon Valley to Phoenix because Phoenix has portability, they have technologists who are available, they have the ability for innovation, they have broadband so it doesn’t have to be in Silicon Valley.

‘‘Here is our challenge: It’s coming to North Dakota and it’s also going to India. If you want it hot and like it hot, you can go to Phoenix or you can go to India,” Kotkin said.

By STEVEN K. PAULSON – Associated Press Writer

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/06/13/montana/a05061305_02.txt