Open Source for the Rust Belt?

“Today the San Francisco Chronicle reported that over 45% of
North American investment in green technology last year landed in
California. Of the $3.95 billion invested, $1.79 billion went to
firms in the Golden State. That is pretty incredible, given that
California’s population is roughly 10% of the U.S. and Canada. Can
other places improve their fortunes and grab a larger piece of the
somewhat finite investment pie?

“On one hand, it’s great to see Silicon Valley and the rest of
the Golden State turn so adeptly on a dime after the tech downturn
and strike it rich on new technology. On the other hand, it seems
somewhat unfair that the rest of North America must scrape for the
leftovers. My current home, the historically auto-centric State of
Michigan, is a prime example of a place left out in the cold for
growth industries like green tech–or Linux, biotech, etc. What
should a state that is Michigan do to seize the future and get out
of the doldrums…?”

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