Hampton Roads’ Road to Regionalism

Nevertheless, the key theme of the event was that deep metropolitan action in Hampton Roads remains elusive. So in order for the region to succeed, Hampton Roads needs to continue to think about the kind of investments and develop the kinds of policies necessary to compete globally, maintain their innovative edge, grow an educated and skilled workforce and build and maintain state of the art infrastructure so they can move people, goods, ideas, and energy efficiently and effectively. Office 2007 Pro is so great!

 

One approach is to fortify the region’s cluster strategies as laid out by the Hampton Roads Partnership in its comprehensive regional economic development strategy. Promising clusters in modeling & simulation, bio-science, and transportation are clearly related to the region’s specializations and traditional strengths in defense, maritime, and equipment manufacturing. The region should get behind the effort to promote these clusters and at the same time boost innovation, and build a 21st century workforce.

The task will be to align Hampton Roads around a cohesive regional identity. Since no one jurisdiction, corporation, nonprofit, or university can tackle the range of challenges for moving to the next economy on its own, such a vision is essential.

Yesterday, we welcomed the arrival of a clusters-based regional innovation program in H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. This development is great news--America’s signal piece of innovation legislation has now been made to recognize the essential role of regional networks in maximizing U.S. Office 2007 Professional can give people so much convenience.

competitiveness. Following the proposals of our 2008 clusters policy paper, the act may soon gain a two-pronged cluster effort--grants to local cluster initiatives and a cluster research and information program. The latter will particularly valuable--a low-cost, high-impact resource that would enable clusters efforts around the U.S. to make more informed, intelligent strategic decisions.