Sep 23

Past Event

Regional Innovation Clusters: Advancing the Next Economy

Event Materials

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Highlights

  • Federal Support for Clusters Necessary

    John Lechleiter, Eli Lilly and Co.: Clusters are a boon for the economy and federal support for these areas is a must; Indiana has used clusters to grow its economy.

  • Clusters Right for Economic Vitality

    Betsey Biemann, Maine Technology Institute: Promoting economic vitality through clusters is the right idea for the nation's prosperity; developing clusters across the country will be like running a marathon.

  • Regional Clusters Promote Rural Growth

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: The USDA supports programs fostering economic growth in rural areas, but it's clear that these communities will see more growth as they band together in regional clusters.

  • U.S. Cluster Model Differs from European

    Jason Furman, National Economic Council: Public policy plays an important role in developing cluster strategies; the U.S. cluster model vastly differs from models used by European nations.

Summary

The Brookings Institution, the Center for American Progress, the Council on Competitiveness, and the National Association of Development Organizations co-hosted an event on innovation clusters on September 23. State and local policymakers, members of the Obama administration, and leaders from the business, academic, and philanthropic sectors discussed the significance of regional innovation clusters to the future of the American economy.

Panelists also included CEOs and regional leaders who are leveraging the power of clusters—networks of interconnected, geographically concentrated businesses, and related actors in the same industries—to boost entrepreneurship and job growth. The discussion explored new directions in federal policy aimed at tapping the potential of clusters to enhance regional and national economic performance.

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 The Honorable Tom Vilsack: Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
 Derek Douglas: Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs
Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs
Dr. John Lechleiter: Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly
Dr. John Lechleiter, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly
Left to right: Matt Chase, President, National Association of Development Organizations; Duane Roth, CEO, CONNECT; Richard Lunak, President and CEO, Innovation Works; Dr. Luis Proenza, President, The University of Akron; Betsy Biemann, President, Maine Technology Institute
(Left to right) Matt Chase, President, National Association of Development Organizations; Duane Roth, CEO, CONNECT; Richard Lunak, President and CEO, Innovation Works; Dr. Luis Proenza, President, University of Akron; Betsy Biemann, President, Maine Technology Institute

Details

September 23, 2010

8:00 AM - 3:15 PM EDT

The Mayflower Hotel

1127 Connecticut Ave., NW

Map

For More Information

Brookings Office of Communications

202.797.6105

Event Agenda

  • 8:45 AM -- Welcome and Framing Remarks

    • Portrait: Bruce Katz

      Bruce Katz

      Vice President and Director

      Metropolitan Policy Program

      View Bio

    • Derek Douglas

      Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs

      Domestic Policy Council

  • 9:00 AM -- Keynote Address

    • The Honorable Gary Locke

      Secretary of Commerce

      U.S. Department of Commerce

  • 9:30 AM -- Panel One: Clusters as Job Creators

    • Moderator: William Bates

      Vice President for Government Affairs

      Council on Competitiveness

    • Albert Green

      CEO, Kent Displays

    • Helen Greiner

      Founder, iRobot

    • Allison Hooper

      Founder, Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery

    • Ashutosh Misra

      Senior Vice President

      Ascent Solar Technologies

  • 10:45 AM -- Panel Two: Regional Actors Strengthening Clusters

    • Moderator: Matthew Chase

      Executive Director

      National Association of Development Organizations

    • Betsy Biemann

      President, Maine Technology Institute

    • Richard Lunak

      President and CEO

      Innovation Works

    • Luis Prozena

      President, The University of Akron

    • Duane Roth

      CEO, CONNECT

  • 12:45 PM -- Luncheon Keynote

    • Introduction: Deborah Wince-Smith

      President and CEO

      Council on Competitiveness

    • John Lechleiter

      Chairman, President and CEO

      Eli Lilly and Company

  • 1:15 PM -- Afternoon Framing Remarks

    • Introduction: Sarah Rosen-Wartell

      Executive Vice President

      Center for American Progress

    • Jason Furman

      Deputy Director

      National Economic Council

  • 1:45 PM -- Panel Three: Federal Cluster Policies and Initiatives

    • Moderator: Kate Gordon

      Vice President of Energy Policy

      Center for American Progress

    • John Fernandez

      Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and Administrator, Economic Development Administration

      U.S. Department of Commerce

    • Kristina Johnson

      Undersecretary for Energy

      U.S. Department of Energy

    • Karen Mills

      Administrator, Small Business Administration

    • Victor Vasquez

      Deputy Under Secretary, Rural Development

      U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • 2:45 PM -- Closing Keynote

    • Introduction: Sarah Rosen-Wartell

      Executive Vice President

      Center for American Progress

    • The Honorable Tom Vilsack

      Secretary of Agriculture

      U.S. Department of Agriculture

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