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U.S. EDA-Funded Regional Innovation Cluster Study to Leverage Local Resources and Strengthen Northeast Florida Economy

March 2, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085


WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $200,000 grant to the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council of Jacksonville, Fla., in partnership with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce to help develop an industry cluster analysis covering seven Northeast Florida counties. The study will identify key sub-clusters and provide actionable implementation plans to more effectively support and expand economic activity and jobs in the region's target sub-clusters.

"Industry clusters leverage a region's competitive strengths for job creation and increase our nation's global competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "This investment will provide local leaders with a plan to more effectively direct resources and target distinctive regional assets to support and expand economic activity and create jobs in Northeast Florida."

This investment advances EDA's priority to support the development and growth of innovation clusters by providing a regional analysis covering the Northeast Florida counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns. The scope of work includes identification of Northeast Florida's key sub-clusters; a practical overall strategy, with actionable implementation plans, to support and expand economic activity and jobs in the target sub-clusters; and propose changes to Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce's marketing structure and programs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.