Cluster Mapping Project…looking for participants.

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is embarking on a new project aiming to provide policymakers and development practitioners across America with rich data and tools for understanding industry clusters in every region of the country, together with tool kits and case studies to assist in formulating economic development strategies. In addition, the project will develop a directory of active cluster initiatives throughout the country.

The project lead is The Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. The Institute was founded by Professor Michael E. Porter, who developed the cluster concept. Monitor Group is a management consulting firm working with the Institute to identify user needs for the tool kit and to compile a database of cluster initiatives throughout the country.

We are looking for organizations who are involved in cluster-based economic development in their region. If you are a part of such an organization, you can get involved in the EDA Cluster Mapping Project in the following ways:

1) Participate in an interview that explores the economic development challenges in your region, how you are employing the cluster concept, and your thoughts and requirements for a cluster tool kit

2) List your organization in the EDA Cluster Initiative Database

If you are interested in getting involved in the EDA Cluster Mapping Project as described above, please contact Laila Kuznezov at [email protected]

(Many thanks to Chris Gibbons http://www.littletongov.org/bia/economicgardening/econdev.asp for passing this along.)