These representatives help organize the clusters, match industries with state programs, and identify state and local policies that harm business expansion and retention. Eleven states use the industry analysis for business attraction, retention, expansion, and creation purposes. 10 Combination of business attraction, retention, and expansion 11 Industry Clusters Most of the states' industry strategies are centered around industry clusters, which include groups of industries related by any number of criteria. Another research director said his state is moving to an industry cluster approach because several cross-cutting issues can be addressed more efficiently and effectively by working with groups of related firms rather than on a firm by firm basis. The role of the state with respect to industry clusters varies only slightly.
Most states see their role as initial facilitator or organizer.
Meanwhile, the department will work on making regulatory and tax reforms to help the clusters grow. Several researchers said their departments have assigned staff members to specific industry clusters. These representatives keep the clusters informed about state policies, collect industry information the state uses for analysis, and promote state and local policies that help strengthen the clusters. Plastics firms were surprised by how large the industry was in the state. Since the summit, the firms formed an active organization and held another well attended summit with state legislators.