16-97 Economic Alliance

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Industry Cluster Identification & Prioritization Project

Background

The 16-97 Economic Alliance is a pragmatic organization managed by “on-the-ground” economic development officials seeking to identify and implement high priority, broad regional actions through collaboration with local, regional and other groups. The region supported by the alliance covers the central interior of the Province of British Columbia.

The primary work of the Alliance involves the identification, development and implementation of regional economic cluster plans, that are directed at increasing jobs and investment through sustainable growth and diversification of the economy in central interior BC.

The Alliance is asking the selected consultant, Meyers Norris Penny, to identify clusters that are perceived to offer a high probability of sustainable economic growth and diversification for the natural trading area of central interior of BC.

The profiling, identification and prioritization of competitive industry clusters relevant to Member organizations of the 16-97 Economic Alliance is the key project outcome.

With this information, the Alliance will develop and implement cluster plans through ongoing engagement of economic practitioners, local government, private sector, college and university, aboriginal groups and other drivers of the regional economies.

Methodology

The methodology for identification of economic clusters includes:

  1. Review of previous work, such as key research studies and reports (those that analyze key industries, industry sectors, and related emerging and global trends). The Alliance has already assembled a summary of reports and expects that little original work will need to be completed by the consultant. With this information the consultant will:
    1. Catalogue assets of the natural trading area (including natural resources, infrastructure, and human resources);
    2. Identify assets in the natural trade area that provide competitive advantages that can be used to leverage economic growth and diversification;
    3. Assess Industry cluster competitiveness relative to credible and legitimate NAFT A and global market information
    4. Prioritize industry clusters based on criteria that will be identified in consultation with the Steering Committee and expected to include, for example, potential for sustainable economic diversification, value of potential investment that will result in export of the clusters primary end product or service outside of the region; return of wealth to communities, etc.
    5. Characterize stages of cluster development for select clusters in the natural trading area and recognize critical barriers, gaps and opportunities for growth
  2. Stakeholder engagement: Industry cluster identification and prioritization requires meaningful engagement with participating 16-97 Alliance Members. The Alliance will work with the Consultant to coordinate focus groups as relevant to Member organizations of the 16-97 Economic Alliance. This is an important component of asset mapping and connecting members with broader cluster identification.
    1. Highlight assets that provide competitive advantage that, in the consultant’s opinion, can be used to leverage economic growth and diversification;
    2. Highlight industry clusters (existing or potential) that appear to have the best growth and diversification potential. In undertaking this portion of the work (and the work described in section A), the consultant is expected to assess the attractiveness of specific markets in terms of market size, future demand, profitability, sustainability, and supply/demand projections. The highlighted Industry clusters must also be assessed relative to credible and legitimate NAFTA and global market information.

The research project began May 2007 and community consultation started August and ended September 2007. The final report was accepted December 2007.

To download the Industry Cluster Report’s Executive Summary  (PDF 1.31 MB) please click the link.