Minneapolis StarTribune / Lee W. Munnich Jr. - Sometimes you have to view something from a distance to see the big picture more clearly. A new mapping tool that spotlights clusters of industry activity is revealing a fascinating picture of a dynamic Midwestern region with a diverse and vibrant array of manufacturing clusters fueling a regional economic rebound. The tool, U.S.

The RENACER program and framework consists of highly customizable and practical training programs, prepared and delivered by the specialized institutions and individual stakeholders collaborating with the program, which will:

Portland Press Herald - Alternative energy is among the industries in Maine that show the most potential for job growth, according to a new, unreleased state report. The study, commissioned by the Maine Technology Institute, assesses 13 “technology clusters” in Maine – concentrations of similar companies within certain industries whose specialized nature or critical mass give them competitive advantages in their respective markets. Those 13 clusters, which range from boat-building to medical devices, support 84,305 jobs in the state, according to the report.

UtahPolicy.com – "You look at the end-to-end supply chain capability that Utah offers and the focus that the governor's office has put on developing our aerospace and defense capabilities – from tooling to materials suppliers to manufacturers – and Utah is a great choice," says Marshall Wright, aerospace and defense cluster director for the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED).

In a year when most everyone is struggling to figure out the best path forward for economic growth, Massachusetts has set the bar high with a plan that could serve as a model for those looking to give small businesses a boost. With bipartisan support and the signature of Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts passed an $80 million economic development act that over the next few years will bolster job training in the state's high-growth industries, provide capital to its startups, and support business communities outside of the traditional business thoroughfa

LAEDC -- The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation’s industry cluster development efforts continue to gain momentum as we work to activate business, labor, education and public sector leaders to protect and grow LA County’s leading export-oriented industry clusters (e.g., Aerospace & Defense, Entertainment, Biomedical, Education & Knowledge Creation, etc.), which serve as the underlying drivers of regional prosperity since these traded industries expand employment, innovation and trade (exports) well beyond our local needs. 

The Jet Newspaper – In February 2014, four countries – Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu – commenced with a pilot clustering initiative, the first ever for the Pacific islands region. This pilot project has since concluded and a review workshop is to be held on the 11 & 12 August 2014 in Nadi, Fiji, to assess the project work to date.

Kingsport Times-News -- The next big startup ideas in 21st Century auto technology got a test drive during a recent event held at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Six of those ideas were pitched to a group called autoXLR8R — an auto business startup program based in Middle Tennessee — plus members of AccelNow, located at the Kingsport chamber.

Both autoXLR8R and Accel-Now are focused on bringing new auto technologies to market, and at least getting those ideas to the business incubator stage to draw interest from investors.

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 op

The Main Street credit gap has become such a well-accepted fact that whole waves of startups have launched, often armed with impressive-sounding technology, to improve small business owners’ access to capital. Many of those new firms, including OnDeck, which has loaned small businesses more than $1 billion since 2007, and Kabbage, which loaned more than $200 million last year, are largely unregulated.