To help local residents acquire the skills needed to participate in Austin's new economy, UT's IC 2 conceived the EnterTech Project. These local initiatives are primarily private-sector driven, although they involve local government officials. Recognizing the importance of tech clusters to Texas' economic development, state government officials are asking what government should do to facilitate cluster growth. State government should continue efforts to improve the general business environment and upgrade infrastructure. It can also enhance education at all levels and develop training programs targeted at the labor needs of industry clusters.
Government can also help identify clusters, collect data, and convene cluster participants.
Most importantly, government can search out and remove barriers to cluster growth it may have indirectly created. Once appropriate policies and regulations can quickly become outdated and can slow or stop growth of rapidly developing new industries. California Governor Pete Wilson appointed the California Economic Strategy Panel in 1994. Twenty local jurisdictions have since conducted their own cluster analyses and revised local policies accordingly. In Texas, the state comptroller's office's economic research group has begun regional cluster analyses.