The U.S. Cluster Mapping Portal is a problem-solving tool... so what are you trying to solve?
Many different types of users visit this portal. They include Economic Developers, Policymakers, Academics and Researchers, and members of the Private Sector. Some of them are trying to effect change in state or national policy, while others are trying to determine a strategy for a region, industry, or organization. But all of them have one thing in common: they can use the U.S. Cluster Mapping Portal to achieve their goals. Below are some specific examples of how the portal can help you boost a regional network, teach a class, create an economic forecast, and much more. If you have a great use case or testimonial that you would be willing to share, please contact us at cmp@hbs.edu.

Economic Developer

Brian Kelsey is an advisor at the National Association of Development Organizations.

His goal was to explore cluster initiatives after the announcement of a large regional employer’s closure.
His method was to:

• Find which cluster the company belonged to
• Identify growing or large clusters in the area where laid-off employees of the company could find new employment

As a result, he completed an economic assessment in light of the closure of a large employer and created a short-term work plan.

Ann Marie Stieritz is the President and CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness.

Her goal was to develop a cluster strategy to strengthen the economic competitiveness of South Carolina and to determine how clusters are having a measurable impact on the state’s success.
Her method was to:

• Identify South Carolina's most competitive industries for use in developing a statewide strategic framework
• Learn about metrics to benchmark the outcomes of South Carolina clusters against those of clusters in other states and regions

As a result, she produced a framework to improve the competitive position of South Carolina in the United States.

Policymaker

Kris Hopkins is the Director of Business and Industrial Development for West Virginia.

His goal was to grow existing companies in and attract new companies to West Virginia.
His method was to:

• Get a snapshot of West Virginia's current and recent-past performance
• View a list of cluster organizations, chambers of commerce, and regional initiatives relating to West Virginia’s key clusters
• Publicize recent West Virginia economic development events, publish reports on West Virginia's leading clusters and initiatives, and see events and reports from other states for comparison

As a result, he transitioned West Virginia’s economy over the span of several years.

Caroline Young is the Director of the Nashville Health Care Council.

Her goal was to provide executives with timely information on key challenges facing health care companies.
Her method was to:

• View data on traded clusters relevant to health care across the United States
• Compare the performance of various clusters that make up the health care industry across regions in order assess Nashville’s standing
• Gain solid data and visualizations for research reports
• See information on other regional organizations, which relayed evolving best practices for regional health care organizations

As a result, she strengthened Nashville’s health care industry though an understanding of its place in the national economy.

Academic or Researcher

Karl Storchmann is an Economics Professor at New York University.

His goal was to augment his urban economics classes at NYU with USCMP data on Economic Areas.
His method was to:

• Give his students a primer on Cluster theory and related topics
• Present easy-to-understand visualizations of complicated data to his class
• Enable his students to download visualizations and use that data in their own work

As a result, he gave his students an understanding of the factors that contribute to an urban economy, as well as the tools to undertake their own research.

Edith Wiarda is the Director of Research Services for Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), a nonprofit company (NGO).

Her goal was to assist Michigan's small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses with their growth and competitiveness by developing reports on the performance of specific regions in the manufacturing-related clusters identified by the USCMP.
Her method was to:

• Zero in on specific counties for analysis
• Compare regions by key clusters and other indicators
• View data on traded clusters relevant to manufacturing across the US

As a result, she provided outstanding support to key performers in Michigan’s manufacturing industry through detailed reports on the industry climate.

Private Sector

Pineland Farms Creamery is a private company.

Their goal was to highlight Pineland Farms Creamery as a key performer in Maine’s growing food cluster and to contribute to the competitiveness of the cluster as a whole.
Their method was to:

• Uncover information on how Maine’s food cluster is performing
• Discover Maine food cluster organizations already working to promote the region’s profile and competitiveness
• Publish news and press releases that reflect Pineland Farms Creamery’s standing in the Maine food cluster and the strength of the Maine food cluster overall

As a result, they increased visibility for both the Maine food cluster and Pineland Farms Creamery and gained solid data for internal reports and reports to shareholders.

Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) is a private consulting firm.

Their goal was to draw on reliable cluster definitions while creating regional economic analysis and forecasts.
Their method was to:

• Gain a background on cluster theory and benchmark cluster definitions
• Compare specific regions for analysis and create custom regions to tighten the focus of that analysis
• Download charts, export data, and use API to enhance their own tools

As a result, they completed economic forecasts and helped economic development organizations.