|
Ÿ
Industry
should work with the Governor and OECDD and other community
economic development partners to expand and strengthen ongoing
cluster work.
Ÿ
Define
all of state’s industry clusters and identify an
industry-led organization for each cluster by June 30, 2004.
Ÿ
By
the end of 2004, set up a system to survey employment data,
corporation records, patent information, and other sources to
identify new business formation that may be the precursor of
cluster formation. This effort should be led by the Oregon
Council for Knowledge and Economic Development (OCKED) working
with OECDD, the Oregon Employment Department, business groups,
and regional economic development organizations.
Ÿ
Include
a substantial cluster element in the statewide economic
strategy currently being developed by OECDD for submission by
June 30, 2004 (as required by House Bill 2011).
Ÿ
With
the guidance of the U.S. Economic Development Administration,
include strong cluster elements in the regional economic
development strategies developed by Economic Development
Districts. Complete
these plans by September 2004.
Ÿ
By
June 30, 2004 a Cluster Working Group, representing industry,
economic develop organizations and education, with support
from OECDD, should develop an Oregon Clusters website with a
listing of industry clusters and a matrix of ongoing support
activities, meetings, and progress reports.
Ÿ
The
Cluster Working Group should help facilitate meetings to
analyze and learn from best practices, provide training
opportunities, and share information: 1) Continue
and expand the current ad hoc Cluster Working Group to be an
ongoing activity that promotes communication and cooperation
among all of the diverse entities involved in cluster
development.
2)
The
Cluster Working Group should serve as a networking entity to
assure maximum participation in, and awareness of all,
cluster-related development efforts in the state.
3) Initial
activities should be underway by June 2004.
Ÿ
Establish
a "Cluster Monitor" function to assemble data on
Oregon industry clusters, to develop, refine, and help apply
cluster assessment tools, like competitiveness assessments. This
function could be led by a University research entity with
strong connections to key providers of data, such as the
Employment Department. Its focus would be on providing
practical, relevant data and assuring sound analytical
techniques in cluster work.
Ÿ
Working
with public organizations, cluster organizations should
develop competitiveness assessments analyzing strengths and
weaknesses, as well as specific actions that businesses and
the public sector can take to promote the economic success of
the cluster.
Ÿ
Workforce
Response Teams (established by the Governor’s Executive
Order 03-16) should identify cluster workforce needs in 15
workforce regions and invest in training of workers tied to
clusters.
Ÿ
OECDD
should work with OCKED to identify and develop actions for
cross-cutting business climate issues that affect the
development of all knowledge-based industry clusters.
Ÿ
Encourage
Oregon media, including television, radio, and the business
and popular press to present information about the economy in
terms of industry clusters.
Assure that cluster development efforts and reports are
accessible to the media.
Highlight cluster successes and use to explain key
trends in the economy and Oregon's overall economic
performance. |
In
2003, the Governor, Legislature, and new Department Director
formally realigned the mission, organization, and budget of
the Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) to
strengthen business retention, expansion, and recruitment. OECDD was allocated $10 million "strategic reserve"
fund to work with industry.
HB
2011, adopted by the Legislature on August 23, codified the
refocused mission. HB
2011
also directed OECDD to develop an economic development
strategy for the state, and established the Governor's Council
on Oregon's Economy to recommend methods for creating
certainty in the development process.
Last year, OECDD worked with partners to encourage growth of
emerging and existing industry clusters. The Department and
Oregon Business Council cosponsored a series of industry
cluster planning meetings to hear from the many groups and
individuals working on cluster development. OECDD’s Regional
Development Officers have ten industry clusters to focus their
work.
|
