WASHINGTON — As concerns about a slowing economy mount, a new report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) highlights counties where the tech, information, and e-commerce (TIE) sector is driving growth.
Titled “The 2025 PPI Tech/Info/E-Commerce Job Index: Fighting Recession on the Local Level,” by PPI Vice President and Chief Economist Michael Mandel, the report identifies the top U.S. counties by their ability to create new TIE jobs relative to overall employment. The findings suggest that regions with a strong TIE presence are not only generating high-paying jobs more rapidly, but also fueling broader economic expansion.
“These findings show that investment in TIE industries can catalyze inclusive economic gains across a wide range of communities,” said Mandel.
The report arrives at a critical moment as sloppy budget cuts, tariff uncertainty, and tighter immigration policies could lead to a recession in the near future. The continued expansion of AI, cloud computing, and e-commerce logistics — all TIE industries — provides a potential counterweight to potential economic turmoil.
Key findings from the report include:
PPI’s TIE Job Index, an evolution of its Tech/Info Job Index, combines employment growth with sector size to rank county-level performance. It reveals strong correlations between robust TIE ecosystems and overall job creation — even outside traditional tech hubs.
“While we don’t claim causation, the link is striking,” said Mandel. “Counties with strong TIE sectors tend to grow faster not just in high-wage tech jobs, but across the board.”
Read and download the report here.
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us @PPI.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
