A new study conducted by Phillip Auerswald, public policy professor at George Mason University, ranks the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area fifth for technological growth nationwide. The aim of the research, for the Department of Commerce, was to determine places that were showing technological potential, outside of places like Silcon Valley or Boston.
Dr. Auerswald says the data relied on patents that received a large number of citations and reference by other inventors. He says these highly referenced patents tend to be more economically valuable than others. Assisted by a reporter from Forbes, they determined cities that are improving its tech sector compared to 15 years ago.
"The nice feature of a ratio of course, is that it isn't dependent on population," says Auerswald.
Local leaders have responded positively to the report and are hoping it will spur investment into the Milwaukee area.
