Industry clusters are groups of similar and related firms in a defined geographic area that share common markets, technologies, worker skill needs, and which are often linked by buyer-seller relationships.
Firms and workers in an industry cluster draw competitive advantage from their proximity to competitors, to a skilled workforce, to specialized suppliers and a shared base of sophisticated knowledge about their industry.
In 2005, The Oregon Business Plan launched OregonClusters.org and the Oregon
Cluster Network to identify Oregon's mature, emerging, and potential industry
clusters and assist cluster participants as they work to accelerate innovation
and the growth of their industries. Learn more.
The activities of the Oregon Cluster Network are guided by the Cluster
Network Leadership Council, a smaller group of interested leaders representing
diverse professional backgrounds and a balance of industry, academic, and public
agency representatives. Anyone interested in advancing cluster-based
economic development in Oregon is invited to participate in the CNLC meetings.
The Council meets on every two months to discuss progress on cluster-based
economic development, focus on areas of interest that cut-across clusters and
plan for opportunities such as the Oregon Leadership Summit and the Oregon
Innovation Plan. Learn more and access past minutes and materials here.
Latest Cluster News
Click here for the
latest news from Oregon's industry clusters.
In this edition:
A change in leadership at the Oregon Wave Energy Trust
Oregon Electric Vehicle Cluster Emerges
Exciting
Manufacturing Workforce Initiatives Underway in Oregon
NW
Food Processors Discuss Energy Efficiency Initiative Before US
Senate.
Oregon's Ag, Green Building
Clusters Share Expertise at Summer Program
Oregon
BEST Brokers $1.3M Investment in Solar Energy Research at OSU, UO
ONAMI Researchers Win $3 Million
from DOE for Materials Research
Latest Documents and
Materials
The 2009 Oregon Business Plan Policy Playbook, Initiative and
Cluster Guide includes descriptions of nineteen of Oregon's key traded sector industry
clusters and their top priorities for continued growth in Oregon Download
PDF.
Find an Industry Cluster
Use the pull-down menu below to select from our newly reorganized Oregon Industry Clusters for
2008 [cluster pages are in the process of being updated. Expect fresh
cluster pages by August 2009]
