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Mapping a nation of regional clusters

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      Are you trying to determine a strategy for your organization, region, or industry? Then follow our Economic Developer path.

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      Are you hoping to effect change in the economic landscape through federal, state, or local government policy choices? Then follow our Policymaker path.

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    • Data by Cluster

      A cluster is a regional concentration of related industries that arise out of the various types of linkages or externalities that span across industries in a particular location. The U.S. Benchmark Cluster Definitions are designed to enable systemic comparison across regions. View and compare clusters across the U.S.

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    • Frequently Asked Questions

      How do I compare different clusters on a national level?

      How do I find my region’s strongest cluster(s)?

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      Are there overlaps between the clusters?

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    • Data by Region

      A region is broadly defined as a county, economic area (EA), metro/micropolitan statistical area (MSA), or state. The U.S. Benchmark Cluster Definitions use the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis defined economic areas. View and compare regions across the U.S.

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    • Frequently Asked Questions

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      How is my region doing, especially in comparison to its peer regions?

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      How do I use the map view to visualize economic data across the country?

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      The Community of Practice enables practitioners to share Resources, post Blogs, and find partner Organizations. View and contribute content of interest to the cluster based economic development community.

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  2. jzhao's blog
  3. Harvard’s Michael Porter Unveils New Tool to ...

Harvard’s Michael Porter Unveils New Tool to Improve Economic Development

by jzhao September 29, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS—Michael E. Porter, Harvard’s Bishop William Lawrence University Professor, based at Harvard Business School, launched the new U.S. Cluster Mapping tool this morning in Minneapolis as part of a two-day conference called Mapping the Midwest’s Future and held by the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

The conference hosted over 150 business leaders, policymakers, economic development officials and academics from twelve Midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) and four Canadian provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan).

Based on path-breaking research led by Professor Porter, the U.S. Cluster Mapping tool provides detailed data on the presence of “clusters” -- regional concentrations of related industries such as aerospace and defense in Kansas and recreational goods in Wisconsin – and regional economies throughout the United States. It is useful to view economic development through the lens of clusters rather than specific types of companies, industries, or sectors, because clusters capture the important linkages and potential spillovers of technology, skills, and information that cut across firms and industries. The cluster perspective provides a powerful understanding of the specific profile and industry dynamics shaping a regional economy and highlights opportunities for coordination and joint action.

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Minneapolis, MN Economic Area
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The U.S. Cluster Mapping Project is led by Professor Michael E. Porter at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Harvard Business School.

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.