The governors shared their economic development experiences - ranging from promoting higher education, developing science and technology capacity to respond to the needs of industry, working with regional officials, and increasing their international trading presence - as a means toward long-term prosperity.
State economic development teams from 10 central and western states heard Jeff Grogan and Kurt Dassel of The Monitor Group, a leading international consulting company and co-sponsor of the Council's Clusters of Innovation project, present the concept behind how clusters can enhance productivity and spur innovation by bringing together technology, information, specialized talent, competing and collaborating companies, and academic institutions. Teams from Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming attended.
Clusters are concentrations of competing and cooperating companies, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions. Clusters thrive in regions where industry, higher education and government work together to build intellectual capital, a highly-skilled workforce, and supportive infrastructure. Well known, successful cluster locations include Silicon Valley in Northern California (computers and software), Denver (telecommunications and software), Detroit (automobiles), and Salt Lake City (financial services).
"Clusters of innovation are the future of economic development," said Gov. Engler. "We can tap emerging industries and strengthen established industries with effective partnerships that bring together government, education and the business community. This is about more than just technology. It's about using technology and embracing innovation across the board to spur productivity, increase wages and enhance economic growth."
"Creating a vibrant and growing 21st century economy means that states must do all we can to be magnets for entrepreneurs. That's why we are working to remove barriers to economic development, such as high taxes and needless regulatory red tape," said Gov. Owens. "Examining how we can seize new opportunities is essential, and I am very pleased that Colorado is hosting this important meeting. It sends the strong signal that states are rolling out the welcome mat for quality, family-sustaining jobs."
NGA's initiative, undertaken with cooperation from the Council on Competitiveness, will help governors develop skilled human capital through systems of lifelong learning and worker training, strengthen science and technology assets, and establish a business climate responsive to and supportive of new start-ups as well as mature companies.
"In the information Age, economic prosperity begins with innovation," said Gov. Leavitt. "States can create an environment conducive to innovation by actively organizing and promoting economic clusters."
"The Council seeks to develop strategies for maintaining and nurturing our nation's capacity for innovation, and regional clusters are vital to this effort," said F. Duane Ackerman, chairman and CEO BellSouth and co-chair of the Council's clusters project. "Our work has shown that strong clusters drive a region's job growth, wage levels, rate of innovation, and formation of new businesses."
