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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today delivered the opening remarks at the first installment of the NYC 2000 Millennium Discussion Series. Entitled "New York…New Media and the New Economy," the discussion took place at the New York Public Library and was moderated by Omar Wasow from BlackPlanet.com and NBC. The panel, comprised of many of the City's new media leaders, included Thomas J. Clarke, TheStreet.com; Darien Dash, DME Interactive Holdings, Inc.; Janet Stites, Publisher of AlleyCat News; Richard Johnson, HotJobs.com; Scott Kurnit, About.com; Chan Suh, AGENCY.COM; and, New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Finance Robert M. Harding.
"The growth of Silicon Alley has played a strong role in the economic renaissance New York City has enjoyed over the last several years," Mayor Giuliani said. "Since 1997 the number of high-tech related companies in our City has jumped from 2,600 to almost 4,000. 75% of the tri-state areas' new high-tech firms are located in New York City. Our high-tech workforce continues to grow faster than any other sector in the City - including Wall Street - and by 2002, the number of New Yorkers working in high technology is expected to exceed 250,000. I welcome the City's leaders of these dynamic industries and thank them for participating in the first installment of the NYC 2000 Millennium Discussion Series."
Last June, Mayor Giuliani formed the Council on New Media to develop initiatives aimed at sustaining and expanding the new media industries in New York City. The Council has formed nine subcommittees, ranging from digital art to taxes, and Council's members represent new media businesses, trade associations, educational and cultural institutions and government agencies. Silicon Alley companies involved with the council include @NY, JumpCut, Intellispace, Jupiter Communications, Agency.com, Redwood Partners, and the New York New Media Association.
NYC 2000, the Mayor's Office for the Millennium, was established through an Executive Order by Mayor Giuliani to ensure that New York City's Millennium celebrations are befitting of the world's financial and cultural center. Comprised of a dynamic group of business and community leaders, and chaired by actor Ron Silver, NYC 2000 will showcase the best New York City has to offer through the year 2000. NYC 2000 will host several other discussions as the year progresses.
www.ci.nyc.ny.us