Building a weather cluster in Norman, OK Sunday, August 27, 2006 It has taken a number of years to start realizing the promise. Yet, development among the National Weather Center, the University of Oklahoma and associated private research companies is starting to ignite. The chamber of commerce in Norman has served as an important catalyst. Read more. The emerging clusters point to an important role chambers can play in economic development. Clusters need a core. These cores have several dimensions. They must include participants (anchors) with access to a technology platform. (This is what Florida is trying to build with its aggressive attraction of medical R&D anchors. Learn more.) In addition, a core needs a "civic space": A place where participants can convene on a regular basis to define opportunities and align resources. A core also needs explicit or implicit (better explicit) rules to guide the behavior of participants in the cluster. These rules handle such elements as how intellectual property issues are handled when they arise. Clusters also need supportive business development networks that can quickly align reources to take advantage of emerging business opportunities. These networks need to be fast, adaptive and open. They work best when they include investors comfortable with the technology platforms and experienced entrepreneurs who understand how to integrate technology with emerging business models. NC IDEA good example of an adaptive business development network. Civic leaders in Bend, OR announced this week that they are starting a similar network. Read more. posted by Ed Morrison |		This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. links Some Background on EDPro Weblog The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it. One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information. So, spread the word...Share the knowledge. Tell a friend about EDPro Weblog. If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site: Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber: Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking. Background on Ed Morrison Download some background information on me here.

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