Industry Clusters make so much sense. Working with Industry Cluster data makes sense too – however, getting companies in your location to define the specific industry clusters they are in is challenging. Many companies define themselves in terms of which one or two NAICS codes best represent what they do, but that is hardly enough.

Since our 1st Industry Summit on Nov 28, 2018 which introduced the concept of Industry Clusters (to a sold-out crowd which gave rave reviews) the Southern Tier has moved to an industry-cluster mindset. Many people felt it was the best government-run conference ever because the industry clusters crossed political and jurisdictional boundaries and brought together many city, county and multi-county organizations that were rarely aligned with themselves or the objectives of the private sector companies.

In the Orlando Sentinel: Space cluster growing as big firms prep for arrival.  Exceprt here:

When Blue Origin opens its doors and starts rocket production, it could mean more chances for contractors to provide them with necessary parts.

That type of expansion can build on itself, as clusters attract more companies within the same industry, said Christian Ketels, a researcher at Harvard Business School who has studied industry clusters in regions.

This Working Paper examines how cluster growth could increase the prosperity of Ontario, and using five examples of strong clusters in Ontario, proposes recommendations on how to improve the ecosystem that fosters successful clusters. Download the full report at the website of the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity: http://www.competeprosper.ca/work/working_papers/working_paper_26

On June 29th, 2016, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, discussed ways to advance trade and competitiveness, at the 2016 North American Leaders’ Summit. 

Brad McDearman and Ryan Donahue - Economic development organizations often talk of competing for foreign direct investment. But arguably, the best form of FDI requires little competition at all. Instead, firms are drawn to a metro area not by low costs or incentives, but by the region’s unique specializations—including supply chains and customers, skilled workforce, trade relationships, and research institutions.

The National Association of Counties and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation, with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, have launched a new competition for communities experiencing economic challenges resulting from the contraction of the coal industry.

Join NACo and NADO on Thursday, 1/22 at 2pm ET to learn more about the challenge and ask questions to competition organizers. For more information about the competition, please read more.

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore -- Recently, Richard Florida of The Atlantic‘s CityLab published a synopsis of a study detailing extensive research that linked arts clustering to widespread economic development in nearly every metropolitan region across the country. The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore elected to recreate some of this research and examine arts clustering in the Baltimore metropolitan area with 2012 data – two years newer than what was originally published – and compare it to the peer markets selected for the 2014 Regional Report.

LOWELL, Mass. -- Gov. Charlie Baker today announced a $4 million dollar grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (“MassTech”) to UMass Lowell to support development of a printed and flexible electronics industry cluster, an emerging field that has the potential to become a $76 billion global market in the next decade.

Godwin Xerri, Malta Independent -- According to a study published by Policy Research Corporation in 2008, Malta employs 7,600 people in the traditional maritime sectors, 11,000 people in coastal and sea related recreational and tourism and 1,400 persons in fisheries. These three areas make up for 20,000 jobs out of a working population of 190,000 people which represents 10.5% of Malta's work force.