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.

Jonatan Paton -- The importance of clusters and cluster policies has been slowly increasing in the competitiveness context and in regional development models.

Lisa Monti, Mississippi Business Journal -- A new study looking at Mississippi’s maritime industries spotlights the importance of shipbuilding, fishing, oceanography and marine technology as a dominant force in the state’s economy. The data show that in the three coastal counties, about 51,000 people – 35 percent of the entire workforce – are employed in so- called blue industries. Ashley Edwards, Susan Veglia and Kevin Buckley compiled the study as part of the Masters of Economic Development Program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Peter Dizikes, MIT News Office -- Experts have long theorized that having a cluster of firms within a given industry helps a region’s economy grow.

HARTFORD, CT -- Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced Connecticut has once again been recognized as a fuel cell leader, ranking as one of the top five states by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in its recent report State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2014. The hydrogen and fuel cell industry is powering economic and job growth not only in Connecticut but across the Northeast region. Nearly 600 Connecticut companies are part of the more than 1,170 industry businesses in New England, New York and New Jersey.

Yvette C. Hammett, The Tampa Tribune -- Plans by Port Tampa Bay to transform the now-vacant Port Red Wing into a cluster of steel manufacturing operations took a step closer to fruition Tuesday. The Tampa Port Authority board approved a lease agreement with Tampa Tank Inc. and Florida Structural Steel, which could result in creation of 108 new jobs for the area. Now it is up to Tampa Tank to decide whether to take the deal, which includes an economic incentives package, or whether to expand in a location outside of Hillsborough County.

ONTARIO -- Today, the Better Business Climate Act, 2014, passed third reading in the Ontario legislature. The Act will strengthen the province's economy by cutting red tape for business and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens and practices that cost time and money. Along with burden reduction, the Act will also foster the development of globally competitive economic clusters which help attract investment and talent across Ontario by fostering regional capacity for productivity, innovation, exports, global competitiveness, business attraction and creating well-paying jobs. 

Kelly Petty, ColaDaily -- Megan Hughes Hickman, executive director of EngenuitySC, a public-private partnership to build economic competitiveness in the Midlands, said the region could flourish in many industries but would miss an opportunity not to lead on technology.

Mark Crawford, Area Development -- Economic growth in the Midwest was steady in 2014, thanks to solid performances by the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, especially transportation equipment. The economy also got a boost from the surging energy sector, led by oil-shale production in Ohio, which improved sales for supporting industries like sand, chemicals, and steel drill pipe made in Midwestern steel plants.