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Reports

Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters (Published January 2007)

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• Cover Page
• Acknowledgments
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
  
  
• 1.    Introduction
  • 1.1.     Project Background, Purpose and Goals
  • 1.2.     Organizing to Accomplish this Project
  • 1.3.     Organization of this Report
  • 1.4.     References
• 2.    Overview of Cluster Concepts and the Two-Project Framework
  • 2.1.     Key Concepts in Studying Clusters: Geographic and Operational Definitions.
  • 2.2.     Overview of the Two-Project Framework
  • 2.3.     References
• 3.    Project 1: Analysis of Data for All U.S. Counties
  • 3.1.     The Nationwide Analysis
  • 3.2.     Defining the Key Constructs
  • 3.3.     Profile of U.S. Counties
  • 3.4.     Spatial Patterns of Industry Clusters across U.S. Counties
  • 3.5.     The Triangle of Industry Mix, Rurality, and Economic Performance
  • 3.6.     Economic Growth Trajectories
  • 3.7.     Summary and Conclusions
  • 3.8.     References
• 4.    Project 2: Applying Cluster Insights in a Rural Region
  • 4.1.     Introduction: Indiana’s Economic Growth Region 8
  • 4.2.     EGR 8 Cluster Analysis
  • 4.3.     The Planning Process
  • 4.4.     Next Steps
  • 4.5.     References
• 5.    Summary, Conclusions, and Lessons Learned
  • 5.1.     General Background
  • 5.2.     National Analysis and Database (Project 1)
  • 5.3.     Application in Indiana’s Economic Growth Region 8 (Project 2)
  • 5.4.     Lessons Learned and Future Directions
    
• Appendix I: Cluster Taxonomy
  • Detailed Cluster Definitions
  • Aggregated Cluster Definitions
• Appendix II: EGR 8 Materials
  • Letter to Local Elected Officials from Governor Daniels
  • Map of EGR 8 with Interstate Highways and Proposed Extension of I-69
  • Media Release
  • List of Mayors in EGR 8
  • Fax to EGR 8 Mayors
  • Draft Summary of Local Economic Development Plans from EGR 8
  • Analysis of Local Economic Development Plans from EGR 8
  • RAC Meeting Agendas
  • Focus Group Questions
  • Inventory of Regional Assets
  • List of NSWC Crane Assets
  • List of Regional Advisory Committee Members
• Appendix III: EGR 8 Survey Materials
  • E-mail Message Sent to 602 Businesses in EGR 8 Inviting Participation in Survey
  • Cover Letter Mailed to Selected Regional Stakeholders Inviting Survey Participation
  • Cover Letter Mailed to a Second List of 150 Organizations in EGR 8 Inviting Survey Participation
  • Mailed Version of the Survey on the Business Climate in EGR 8
  • Survey Responses to Open-Ended Questions
• Appendix IV: Cost-of-Living Differences between Rural and Urban Areas in Indiana— Examining the Real Prosperity of Rural Regions
  
  
• Appendix V: List of Contributors and Supporters
  
  
• Appendix VI: Guide to the U.S. Database
  
  
• Appendix VII: U.S. and EGR 8 Maps