Clusters

Clusters are a group or firms that are geographically linked to specific regions and are supported by a shared network of suppliers, customers, skilled labor, service providers, research resources and innovation. Click here for an illustration of a generic cluster. Companies tend to locate near one another to take advantage of labor and knowledge concentrations. It is the connectivity among the firms and the network that makes clusters unique- not just industry concentration.

Some well known examples of clusters are auto manufacturing in the Detroit, Michigan area, computer hardware and software in Silicon Valley, CA, and Route 128 corridor in MA. Maine's Downeast territory has become an advanced aquaculture cluster with support from the industry and the University of Maine. This cluster has been the catalyst in new technologies and research applications that are advancing the industry on a global level. Also, in Maine, there is a marine trade cluster (Harbor Technologies, Maine Marine Composites, Maine Yacht Center). Click here for an illustration of the Marine Trade cluster.

How does your company become part of a cluster? It is important to underscore that clusters cannot be legislated or anointed. Rather, clusters occur naturally and are often as a result of quality of life. For example, the natural products cluster in northern New England (Stonyfield Farm in New Hampshire, Tom's of Maine, Ben & Jerry's in Vermont) were all established from their respective owners' love of where they lived and desire to start a business to maintain that quality of life.

Government can strengthen clusters in the following manner:

• Work with trade associations for leadership development;
• Build incentives for multi-firm collaboration with researchers through funding programs;
• Stimulate markets and/or assist with market penetration and
• Increase information available to establish benchmarks and cross-agency teams.

Governor Baldacci, DECD and the Office of Innovation will continue to support entrepreneurial activity, research and development, workforce development and communication to strengthen and grow technology clusters in Maine.