I think that commercial awhile back that shows the two guys out in the middle of nowhere looking at their potential new company site, says it all. They pointed out that you do not need to be near a major metro area to do business. If I was starting a business I would look away from big cities/high rent/congestion, toward more rural and isolated regions. Technology has allowed this to happen and the tax breaks states with cheap land and high unemployment will give you are worth looking into. I am sorry to say this but I think it will be some time before your area gets back economically. And that may be only when most land owners go bankrupt and a new economic base settles in.

>Every few months I give an update about how things are going in my area. Well, it did not look too good a few months ago when I gave the figures for Office/RD space that was not occupied. It was at 16 million square feet. Now remember Silicon Valley is Santa Clara County and is the South Bay region of the Bay Area. It has nothing to do with the counties of San Mateo, Alameda, San Francisco, etc.
>
>So what is the latest number of unoccupied area? 41 million square feet. Yes, things are getting much better out here! From 16 to 41 million. That is progress.
>
>Please move to Silicon Valley as soon as possible. Many houses and apartments are empty and it is begining to get lonely. If you do come please bring your own job or lots of money.
>
>Since April of 2001 the media has stated, "Things will get better in six months". They are still using that six month model. I think things will get better September of 2004, just before the reelection of GWB. Then things will revert back to where they are or worse. I have faith in the system.
>
>If I am alive in 2004 I can take early retirement. The rat race gets old and I am tired.
>
>Tom