Madison, Wis., April 11, 2008—Dane County's high-tech companies added more than $500 million in revenue to the local economy in 2007 with employment levels increasing more than 3.5% over the previous year. Since 2003, the area's total number of companies in the high-tech sector increased from 450 to 525. These findings, part of a recent survey conducted by Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), are found in the 2008 Greater Madison Wisconsin Area Directory of High-Tech Companies.

The directory lists more than 525 firms (416 high-tech businesses profiled in the directory) with reported combined revenues of more than $6 billion. During the last five years, the survey found high-tech employment has grown by more than 4,000, or 16%, and the number of high-tech firms grew nearly 17% for the same period.

To order a hard copy or an Acrobat PDF version of the directory, go to www.mge.com/hightech or send your request and $40 payment to:

Jim Mohrbacher
Economic Development
Madison Gas and Electric Co.
Post Office Box 1231
Madison, WI 53701-1231

For additional information, contact jmohrbacher@mge.com or phone (608) 252-7116.

MGE generates and distributes electricity to 136,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 140,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.