Northwest Tech Boom: Shield AI, Space Deals, and Waymo Move-In

Industrial Advisors podcast hosts Matt McGregor and Kyle Beck discuss a fast-emerging tech boom in the Pacific Northwest—AI, defense, and space—calling it the most significant since the COVID boom and noting similar momentum seen in San Francisco 6–12 months earlier. They highlight Shield AI leasing all of Panattoni's Des Moines Creek West building to manufacture autonomous vertical takeoff/landing fighter jets, with plans to add up to 1M more square feet locally, major VC backing, job growth estimates, and production targets starting in 2028. Other rumored or active moves include a 300–400K square foot north Kent Valley deal possibly tied to Blue Origin, Stoke Space potentially acquiring Pacific Raceways for loud rocket testing, Kupper expanding in Everett by 91K square feet, Pierce County's "Project RAM" seeking 150K square feet plus 50–100 acres and heavy power, and Waymo rumored for a 145K square foot South Seattle service center; they also mention Cowboy Space taking 300K square feet.

00:00 The Northwest Tech Boom Overview

02:15 Shield AI and Autonomous Fighter Jets

04:45 Space Tech and Rocket Testing Sites

06:30 Waymo and Autonomous Vehicle Infrastructure

08:15 Comparing Today to Six Months Ago