Summary Background
Clusters
Economic expert and Harvard professor, Michael Porter has defined a cluster as an, “geographic concentration of inter-connected companies and institutions working in a common industry.” Clusters are noted for encompassing an array of collaborating and competing services. The providers of these services create a specialized infrastructure that provides support to the cluster’s industry. Most importantly, the cluster requires a specialized skilled labor force. The benefits of clusters include development of a labor force with common technical demands, research institutions to serve the businesses, or the location of support services specific to that cluster.
The North Delta PDD region has had multiple cluster formations for numerous years. The largest clusters include: Accommodations and Food Services, Retail Trade, and Healthcare and Other Social Services.