They're coming not only for some of the best communications infrastructure around, but also for low lease rates, lower housing costs and free parking – three things long since forgotten by their well-known neighbors to the north.

Add to that a host of publicly funded projects including a new convention center, a new art museum and a major waterfront cleanup effort, and its clear why Tacoma's director of economic development, Juli Wilkerson, says "Tacoma's revival is for real." To keep it going, Wilkerson plans to begin aggressively promoting Tacoma as "America's No. 1 Wired City" this fall in business publications and newspapers.

Known more for its distinctive industrial aroma than its communications network until now, companies like Amazon.com, AtomicTangerine, Big Garden Ventures and Lguide.com are now calling it home. The new arrivals have prompted some locals to add a "e-" when speaking of the city's major thoroughfare, Commerce Street. Indeed, AtomicTangerine, a Silicon Valley venture capital consulting firm and Internet incubator, says while its good to go in Tacoma, it' still waiting for high-speed Internet access in its more expensive San Francisco office. For similar reasons, Lguide.com, a venture- backed start-up founded in Olympia last year, moved its headquarters to South Pine Street in July.