
Taking an active leadership role on a regional level, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation invited the Harvard Business School to give one of the first demonstrations in California of its new ‘industry cluster’ mapping data tool. As defined by experts, an industry cluster is a regional concentration of related companies and industries, like the aerospace industry. Industry clusters drive regional economic performance including job growth and motivation, and serve to attract investments, export opportunities, supply chain decisions and even site selections for a company about to open its doors or relocate, said Sara Jane Maxted, presenter and research manager for the project and the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School.
A wide cross section of 66 people representing organizations from around Southern California was on hand Thursday to view the Harvard presentation. People from cities, economic agencies; and universities and colleges attended – including the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, California of Southern California and California State University, Northridge. City, county and state officials sent representatives as well to view the data mapping tool.