They're coming not only for some of the best communicationsinfrastructure around, but also for low lease rates, lower housingcosts and free parking – three things long since forgotten by theirwell-known neighbors to the north.

Add to that a host of publicly funded projects including a newconvention center, a new art museum and a major waterfront cleanupeffort, and its clear why Tacoma's director of economicdevelopment, Juli Wilkerson, says "Tacoma's revival is for real."To keep it going, Wilkerson plans to begin aggressively promotingTacoma as "America's No. 1 Wired City" this fall in businesspublications and newspapers.

Known more for its distinctive industrial aroma than itscommunications network until now, companies like Amazon.com,AtomicTangerine, Big Garden Ventures and Lguide.com are now callingit 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 capitalconsulting firm and Internet incubator, says while its good to goin Tacoma, it' still waiting for high-speed Internet access in itsmore expensive San Francisco office. For similar reasons,Lguide.com, a venture- backed start-up founded in Olympia lastyear, moved its headquarters to South Pine Street in July.