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In 2012 the Eugene, Oregon metro area was dubbed the Silicon Shire. Like many regions that have taken on Silicon-themed names, the Silicon Shire is home to a thriving technology sector. In 2015, the region's rapid growth led to Eugene being named one of "The Next Top 10 Cities For Tech Jobs" by Fast Company magazine.
There are more than 400 companies in the Silicon Shire region, employing more than 4,570 people with an annual payroll of about $296 million. Key factors in the region's growth are the presence of higher education, a high quality of life, a low cost environment, and technological advancements. The region is home to the largest game developer cluster in Oregon, and also is the location of Symantec's third largest site in the world. In addition to technology, the region also boasts a significant healthcare sector as well as food processing, craft breweries, and small-scale agriculture.
In early 2015, companies from the region partnered with an international advocacy group for mobile app developers to host an event featuring speakers including Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter Defazio. Later that year, Alaska Airlines obtained a federal Small Community Air Service Development grant to establish a direct route connecting the region to Silicon Valley.