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Mapping a nation of regional clusters

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    • I am an Economic Developer

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

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    • I am a Policymaker

      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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    • I am an Academic or Researcher

      Are you interested in learning more about clusters and conducting action-oriented research? Then follow our Academic or Researcher path.

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    • I am in the Private Sector

      Are you looking into the economic competitiveness of a region through the lens of the private sector? Then follow our Private Sector path.

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  • Cluster
    • 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)?

      How do I identify which cluster my industry belongs in?

      How do I compare local vs traded clusters?

      Are there overlaps between the clusters?

  • Region
    • 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.

      View Data by Region
    • Frequently Asked Questions

      How do I compare different regions?

      How do I build a region to meet my needs?

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

      How do I find subregions related to my region?

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

  • Community
    • Organizations

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    • Blog

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    • Resources

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    • Community

      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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Harvard Business School U.S. Economic Development Administration
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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  1. Blogs
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Regional Economy ,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

U.S. News & World Report Op-Ed: A Lesson in development from Western North Carolina

by cmp.admin October 11, 2013

Western North Carolina has faced economic challenges for decades. Industries that once brought prosperity – tobacco, textiles, furniture manufacturing – have waned. As a largely rural area, it is not an easy place to develop new industry. Rather than continue bidding wars with other locations to chase "the next big thing," the region decided to focus on its local assets, and businesses with an organic connection to the region. A cluster of outdoor equipment companies has emerged, one that taps the recreational opportunities of the Blue Ridge Mountains as it competes on a national scale.

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Cluster ,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Workforce development and strong partnerships form the cornerstone of North Louisiana's cyber cluster

by cmp.admin September 17, 2013

In just six years, North Louisiana has created a fast-growing cyber cluster in a region historically dominated by manufacturing and oil and gas. The catalyst for this stems from the combined vision of local and state leaders to diversify the region's economy and inculcate a knowledge-based workforce.

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Cluster ,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Sacramento's AgStart aims to transform agriculture technology

by cmp.admin August 22, 2013

SARTA (Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance) is invigorating agriculture technology ventures through its new AgStart cluster program. Drawing on California's core tech and agriculture sectors, AgStart facilitates the research and development of ag tech companies and entrepreneurs. Said SARTA CEO Meg Arnold: "There is a huge, and growing, need for agriculture technology to increase productivity and yield, improve cost effectiveness, and enhance the efficient use of water, energy, and land. Sacramento ...

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Cluster ,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

New Jersey: A place for innovation clusters and creative capital

by cmp.admin September 18, 2012

This article by the NJ Spotlight shows how the new State Strategic Plan for New Jersey addresses the needs of its large growth industries in biopharma and advanced manufacturing, as well as opportunities to spur sustainable economic growth in the context of the state's political and cultural climate.

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Image: Peter Ginter

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Copyright © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College.
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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.