Space tech is yet another cool industry. It is most certainly localized in a small number of locales and competition for jobs is fierce.

As for FPGAs, the skills in that area are most in demand by companies producing advanced electronics, e.g. video, networking, some industrial and scientific processes.

I see BioTech / MedTech as being two very high potential areas. Of course, the manufacturers of such equipment are generally located in already highly industrialized areas.