In fact, the region is teeming with tech industry. AeA, the largest U.S. trade association representing the high-tech sector, ranks much of

Micron is retooling facilities including its Manassas, Va., operation for its joint venture with Intel, IM Flash Technologies, which will manufacture NAND flash memory products for the two companies.

the region near the top in terms of tech job creation.
   Virginia leads the way in AeA's latest Cyberstates report, adding 9,100 net jobs in 2004, the latest year for which state data is available. Much of the job growth occurred in computer systems design and related services, Virginia's largest technology sector. The state ranked second in the country in high-tech concentration of jobs with 88.6 of every 1,000 private sector employees working in the tech industry. Maryland claimed the third fastest growth rate for the same period, adding 2,800 jobs. And, the District of Columbia, with clusters of R&D and testing labs, was ranked fourth by concentration of tech workers.
   One major center of activity is the Greater Washington area, which has added more than 270,000 new jobs from 2000 to 2005, a figure that leads the nation's metropolitan areas. Growth continues in the region, with 14.5 million sq. ft. (1,347,000 sq. m.) in office space under way during the second quarter of 2006, according to Grubb & Ellis market data. One area preparing to accommodate future growth is the National Business Park in Annapolis Junction. Developer Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) recently paid $26.6 million to add 178 acres (72 hectares) to the park, whose tenants include numerous defense contractors. COPT anticipates their number will rise due to the recent BRAC round, which involves nearby Fort Meade.