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. 

Rebecca O. Bagley, Forbes -- In order to stay globally competitive in this new economy, regions must have an economic base that constantly innovates and optimizes the use of technology. Technology-based economic development, or TBED, is the approach used to help create a climate where this economic base can thrive.

The Times of India -- AHMEDABAD: The city's first Cultural Heritage Cluster - aimed at incubating new ventures and innovative strategies that use culture for economic development - was launched on Sunday at Law Garden.

EVERETT, WA -- The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) recognized leadership in commercial real estate development at its November Night of the Stars event in Bellevue. Among the night’s winners were Mayor Ray Stephanson and Lanie McMullin, Everett’s economic development director, who were jointly honored as NAIOP’s Public Officials of the Year for Washington state.

The TCI Network is committed to fostering knowledge sharing among practitioners. Presentations and other material of TCI conferences are a great tool for this purpose as they contain advanced theory and practice on competitiveness upgrading efforts, cluster development and innovation support globally and are widely used among practitioners in the network to advance in their daily activity. That is why TCI publishes all available conference material on their social medial channels.
 

Luke Runyon, High Plains Public Radio -- More cities want to take eating local food from just a hip trend to an economic generator. But as with many grassroots movements, there can be some growing pains along the way. That has some looking to the tech sector for lessons.

Mary Serreze, MassLive -- A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has received a $4.1 million Environmental Protection Agency grant to create a national research center aimed at assisting small-sized drinking water systems. David A.

Josie Sexton, The Coloradoan -- In Fort Collins, industry clusters exist for clean energy, water, bioscience, information technology and even culture. In U.S. cities such as San Francisco; Portland, Oregon; and Louisville, Kentucky, food clusters also exist. The tasks of a food cluster, and any industry cluster, can be nebulous until carried out.

WEST PALM BEACH -- One of South Florida's most progressive cities is turning its downtown into an engine for the growth of arts, entertainment and culture. The West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District (A&E District), a partnership of more than 20 venues in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, launches on Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m. with a celebration at the Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront Pavilion, 101 S. Flagler Drive.

Ethan Forman, The Salem Daily News -- Back in December 2011, the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development drove the discussion about what it would mean for the North Shore if a $1 billion resort casino were built at Suffolk Downs. The meeting drew heavy-hitters like Suffolk Downs COO Chip Tuttle of Salem, state lawmakers, and other local leaders to talk about casino jobs, traffic impacts and the long-held notion the Blue Line needs to be extended to downtown Lynn.