Launch of Brand-New Website
U.S. Cluster Mapping is the Beta version of a website that we will continue to develop throughout the summer for a full launch expected in August 2014. In development include full custom economic area capability, key features on the region and cluster dashboards, enhanced related cluster visualizations, and additional data.
The U.S. Cluster Mapping Project is a national economic initiative that provides open, interactive data to understand regional clusters and support business, innovation and policy in the United States. It is based at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School, with support from a number of partners and a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
Research
The project provides a robust cluster mapping database grounded in the leading academic research. Professor Michael Porter pioneered the comprehensive mapping of clusters in the U.S. economy in the early 2000s. The research team from Harvard, MIT, and Temple used the latest Census and industry data to develop a new algorithm to define cluster categories that cover the entire U.S. economy. These categories enable comparative analyses of clusters across any region in the United States.
Website
The project invests in a highly optimized, modern website to enable private and public sector entities to make effective use of the data. The website integrates the cluster mapping data into a broader data infrastructure that covers cluster presence and performance, as well as several types of data about regional economic performance, business environment quality, and regional characteristics. A key component of this platform is an organizations registry that presents a community network for practitioners to learn about ongoing initiatives across the country and share their best practices. The server requirements to view the website are Google Chrome 9+, Internet Explorer 9+, or Mozilla Firefox 27+.
Impact
Research on the presence of regional clusters has recently oriented economic policy toward addressing the needs of clusters and mobilizing their potential. Four regional partners in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, and South Carolina produced a set of case studies that discuss how regions have organized economic policy around clusters. These cases form the core of a resource library that aims to disseminate insights and strengthen the community of practice in cluster-based economic development. The project will also take an international scope to benefit cross-border industries in North America and inform collective global dialogue around cluster-based economic development. The project and this website will continue to grow and evolve with additional data and content.
