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Industry Clusters
Industry Clusters
For more information on specific initiatives and identified clusters in Connecticut, click the topic in the blue column to the left.
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| Overview | "Industry cluster" is an economic development concept championed by Dr. Michael Porter, a worldwide respected expert in global economic strategies from the Harvard Business School. Dr. Porter was among the first to recognize the power of clusters to boost regional economies.
A cluster is defined as a concentration of companies and industries in a geographic region that are interconnected by the markets they serve and the products they produce, as well as their suppliers, trade associations and educational institutions. Clusters have been forming naturally for years, both in the U.S. and abroad (i.e. Silicon Valley for its microelectronics, biotechnology and venture capital markets).
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| Connecticut's Economic Competitiveness Strategy |  |
The Industry Cluster Initiative
Connecticut's cluster-based economic development initiative is built around the idea that nurturing the state's key industries improves the competitiveness of businesses within these industries, in turn boosting our economy. By combining the market knowledge and expertise of businesses with the talents and resources of government, education and economic development organizations, Connecticut's industry clusters better prepare each of their members to face the challenges created in the global marketplace.
Creating a business environment in which clusters can grow and prosper takes an enormous amount of cooperation between government and industry. In 1998, a task force of 125 business leaders from Connecticut was assembled to study the best method of implementing cluster-based economic development in our state. The task force identified six industry areas key to Connecticut's economic competitiveness: manufacturing, financial services, telecommunications and information, health care services, high technology and
tourism, which was recognized as a natural cluster in Connecticut, already operating successfully under the direction of the Connecticut Tourism Office with a strong private-public partnership. The task force's research led to the legislation passed in 1998, effectively launching Connecticut's Industry Cluster Initiative under the Department of Economic and Community Development.
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The Governor's Competitiveness Council
Throughout 1998, progress was made in a number of areas related to nurturing industry clusters; one of the most important was the establishment of the Governor's Competitiveness Council (formerly called the Governor's Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology). Composed of CEOs from a cross-section of industries, legislative leaders, heads of key educational institutions, labor representatives, officials of industry associations and several state commissioners, the Council monitors cluster progress and finds ways to enhance and support it. With the Council's support, a number of other cluster-related projects have taken shape over the last year in areas including lean manufacturing, workforce development, legislation, transportation, infrastructure, capital, regulatory and tax climate, international trade and marketing. These cross-cutting issues are a significant part of improving the state's business climate, and therefore, a significant part of Connecticut's cluster initiative.
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Connecticut's Inner City Business Strategy
Another cross-cutting issue is the competitiveness of Connecticut's cities. The Inner City Business Strategy strives to bring about urban revitalization through business development and to increase the income, wealth and job opportunities of inner city residents. Programmatic efforts include the Inner City 10 Entrepreneurship Awards, Executive Education and Youth Entrepreneurship programs, the Hartford Enterprise partnership and the New Haven Business Connection.
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A Public-Private Partnership
Teamwork is the key to making Connecticut competitive in today's global economy. The Industry Cluster Initiative puts Connecticut companies on the fast track; develops the resources needed to compete globally; achieves sustained, measurable growth in jobs, educational levels, startups and R&D funding; and ensures that positive results extend beyond a single contract, company or city. For more information about becoming a partner in this initiative, visit our Partnership page.
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