Friday Q&A: Thomas Morr of Select Greater Philadelphia

In our coverage of the city’s Digital Philadelphia vision, city CTO Allan Frank’s conversation about a ten-year plan for the city’s technology future, we had the chance to speak to some influential members of Philadelphia’s technology community.
We urge you to check out our in-depth multimedia package on the subject here.
Of the many interesting conversations was a chat with President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia Tom Morr. Morr was brought to Philadelphia to lead Select, which is intended to bring business to the region, after successfully steering the Greater Washington Initiative, a similar organization based in D.C.
We chose to reach out to Morr because as a vital member of attracting business to the region, we hoped he’d have some insight on rumblings that the city is considering creating technology innovation zones where tech businesses would be catered to.
In addition, Select completes some solid research on the business community in Philadelphia, including reports on the IT sphere and most recently, the possibility that the economy is beginning to turn around for the region, as reported by PhillyInc’s Mike Armstrong.
We discussed with Morr his thoughts on Digital Philadelphia, the possibility of those tech innovation zones, the future of Philadelphia’s tech community and more, after the jump.

Interview edited for length and clarity.
You came to Philly after leading a similar organization in Washington, Greater Washington Initiative. What are the differences between and similarities of the cities?
The Greater Philadelphia economy is very diverse, very complex economical environment with multiple industry sectors that operate successfully. Philadelphia has reinvented itself two or three times. Began as an agrarian port, became a major center of industrial revolution and manufacturing, and in the last 60 years transitioned successfully from manufacturing to knowledge driven services. Washington’s economy is driven by the fact that the federal government dominates the market.
Because of the diversity of the economy, you have to understand more about each industry sector in order to successfully identify market opportunities to explain to companies why they should expand or relocate in the Philadelphia region.
You spoke at a stakeholders meeting around Allan Frank’s Digital Philadelphia vision. What did you talk about?
I think I was invited to speak at that event because Allan and I are working on things to grow the culture of entrepreneurship in the city and the region. My role was to try to get everybody fired up. I had a lot of fun with that talk. It was a little bit outside of my typical message.
Did you talk about the possibility of technology innovation zones in the city?
I’m working on some ideas with Allan, but they’re not really disclosed. All I’m going to say today is there is a large group of stakeholders that have been working now for several years that have been trying to grow the culture of entrepreneurship in Philadelphia and the 11 county region.
In our talks with Frank, he spoke often about the research Select has done, noting the difference between IT-producing and IT-using jobs. Can you speak to that?
We’ve done a study of the information technology sector in the region and what we learned was interesting. Little more than five percent of the region’s economy is tied to information technology goods and services. A third of employment in that sector is in IT producing type businesses, but two-thirds of the jobs in the sector are IT using.
For example, we have 92 colleges and universities in the region which are very heavy users of software and technology and many of the applications for those users are developed in the region.
What are your thoughts on the reorganization of the Division of Technology and Frank’s promotion to the mayoral cabinet as Chief Technology Officer?
I think it’s an indication of the priority that the mayor gives to using technology to help people learn and prosper and succeed in the city. It’s also recognition of the talent that Allan has, to have innovative ideas and move them forward and get them done. It’s a very positive sign that the mayor understands that this is a very important set of tools that can help the city succeed and the people that live in the city succeed.
Every Friday, Technically Philly brings an interview with a leader or innovator in Philadelphia’s technology community. See others here.