The Economic Geography of Talent

The paper explores the economic geography of talent. It argues that the distribution of talent --that is high human capital individuals --plays a fundamental role in the distribution of high-tech firms and in regional economic outcomes. To shed light on these issues, this paper summarizes the results of statistical research as well as interview and focus groups. The findings shed light on the geography of talent, the factors that shape that geographic distribution, and the effects of talent and the location of high-technology industry and other regional outcomes. They indicate hat the economic geography is talent is associated with diversity (low entry barriers) and quality of place. Talent in turn attracts…