This story appears in the
February 2000 issue of
Startups.
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Tech entrepreneurs are moving on up...to downtown. They're
not only at the forefront of technology, but also leading big-city
downtown revivals.
New York City has been promoting its Plug `N' Go program for
several years, luring tech start-ups and established firms into
renovated and wired buildings. Paul Guzyk, founder of InfoHouse
Inc. (http://www.infohouse.com), a
high-bandwidth ISP, made the move in 1996. "It's great to
be in the center of it all," says Guzyk, 34. "When we
originally moved downtown, there were very few Internet companies;
now there are hundreds." Guzyk lists the advantages:
"Fair rent, fiber optics, flexible office space options, lots
of talent. However, the nightlife sucks."
Chicago, already home to more than 8,000 tech businesses, has
been eyeing New York City's success. Mayor Richard Daley
announced Chicago's own Technology Initiative last year. A
cornerstone of his plan to make Chicago "a high-tech capital
in the 21st century" is to renovate the historic Lytton
Building and integrate it into the Chicago Information Technology
Exchange (CITe).
The CITe calls for a high-bandwidth fiber optic backbone, an
uninterruptible power supply backup generator, videoconferencing
system, business satellite TV service, a coffeehouse and more.
Chicago expects it to rival New York's success.
