The world’s leading technology clusters grew organically, over the course of decades. High tech clusters like those around MIT in Boston and Stanford in Silicon Valley have long benefited from commercializing innovations coming out of nearby universities and labs. This in turn spurred regional economic growth, boosted institutional wealth, and provided a magnet for research talent. The question for countries and regions seeking to employ such practices is how to capitalize on their assets to encourage their own innovation ecosystems.

See who in Alaska is providing jobs in tourism by clicking on this interactive Alaska Tourism Cluster Map from the Alaska Partnership for Economic Development. It shows the strength of Alaska's tourism industry is not evenly distributed--Southcentral, Southeast, and Anchorage reap the most benefit from jobs and spending due to ease of access and cruise ship passenger spending.

Health care has been designated as one of Nevada's targeted clusters for economic development, but even local professionals in the field admit they a hard time grasping its breadth and diversity. Yet in a recent study conducted by the University of Nevada, Reno and commissioned by regional health network Renown Health, nine industrial clusters were identified that, if nurtured properly, could yield competitive advantages and create more jobs in the state.

Developed as part of the U.S. Cluster Mapping Project, The Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance: A Cluster Development Initiative in Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley illustrates how a region can position its roots in a declining industry into strengths for new cluster growth. It also offers an example of how an organization such as the Innovation Institute at MassTech can leverage public funds to make strategic investments and enrich cluster performance.

This Brookings article summarizes findings from an evaluation by D.C. consultancy Optimal Solutions Group on the U.S.

This blog post by Forbes contributor Rebecca Bagley breaks down how U.S. regions can encourage advanced energy development by exploiting the assets and opportunities in their vicinity. Appealing to an example of a mature energy cluster in Northeast Ohio, local business leaders stress that organizations can efficiently deliver services only after they have outlined their regional strengths and market opportunities.

This month's Innovate@EDA newsletter by the U.S. Economic Development Administration features a Q&A discussion with Professor Michael Porter, who explains the vital role that clusters play in strengthening the U.S. economy.

Read more  

The Milwaukee Food and Beverage cluster (FaB) has been empowering local food entrepreneurs. As a $71 billion industry, the food ingredients manufacturing industry is expected to grow at a rate of 14.5 percent nationally. Wisconsin is ranked second in the nation in organic food production, which is expected to grow at an even higher 20 percent rate.

As CEO of NorTech, an economic development organization for advanced energy and technology clusters in Northeast Ohio, Forbes contributor Rebecca Bagley shares her insights on how cluster companies and institutions can best exchange ideas and expertise with individuals in influential positions. Highlighting a recent roundtable discussion she hosted for local business leaders with U.S.