Ottawa's key high-tech products include computer software, voice technology and telecommunications. The city and surrounding area have more than 850 advanced technology companies. Vanderlee said he is willing to encourage the Tucson-Ottawa connection because he has business connections throughout the province and country. He has been a member of the Ontario Advisory Committee on the Computing Sector, a founding director of the Ontario Software Developers Association and a member of the Information Technology Association of Canada's Board of Governors. Vanderlee said Ottawa formed alliances with Austin, Texas, in the telecommunications sector to ease the exchange of knowledge and capabilities.
Companies stay where the capital is.
Vanderlee said another way to attract big-name companies to a community is by supporting smaller technology firms, which eventually could be taken over by the giants.