We believe that economic development in this region will grow from industry sectors that are suited to doing business in the Traverse Bay area. Our region is geographically isolated, but connected with other parties that share our economic development interests. The Industry Sector Planning and Cluster Action Team committee will:

• Identify 5-10 industry sectors with growth potential
  
  
• Identify the cluster effects and networks of each
  
  
• Develop themes for attraction and retention
  
  
• Develop leadership within each core cluster
  
  
• Technical and Research Center Entities
  
  
• Industry Supply and Research Channels
  
  
• Industry Sector and Trade Group Entities
  
  
• Government – Industrial Trade Initiatives

The impact of this committee can be measured by the reach of the Traverse Bay EDC with economic development engines outside our immediate region, statewide and nationwide. These goals will be realized through the cultivation of business activity in these industry clusters, and their connections with other technology/economic clusters. This team will interact very closely with the External Network and Cluster Action Team.

Co-Chairs: Wade VanHouzen, Fifth Third Bank and Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments