Introduction to the Initiative

Project Narrative

Wilkes Community College and the Northwest Alliance Program for the Rural Carolinas entered into a partnership in 2004 to enhance research, education and economic infrastructure for northwest North Carolina. The partnership is funded by a Duke Endowment sponsored rural economic recovery program. The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate the cluster development of the advanced materials industry in the counties of Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes with opportunity to expand the region into adjoining counties and states as the cluster emerges. It will encourage local county governments to make strategic decisions referencing programs, organizational structure, and partnerships to support industries that would band together to enhance the region’s competitiveness through the development of a public/private partnership.

After receiving final reports from the US Economic Development Administration’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) program, the northwest region of NC selected a rural cluster-based initiative to address local economic development needs. Regionalism became the focus with counties collaborating to develop the region and more competitively market their goods and services in an era of globalization. The focal point for the initiative started when an Alleghany County firm came forward to become the ‘champion’ for an advanced materials cluster. Mr. Grant Godwin, vice president and general manager of Martin Marietta Composites (MMC), shared their visions and strategies for assisting in developing the rural cluster. As an outgrowth of the adopted CEDS recommendations and MMC’s willingness to champion the cause for an advanced material cluster, a cluster development initiative was established with the formation of a public/private partnership. According to Stuart Rosenfeld of Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., "Some of the key players in achieving more equitable outcomes of cluster-based development are community colleges, industry-versed but socially conscious intermediaries, cluster councils, and business service agencies."

An executive committee was formed and began meeting in the first three months of the project. Two facilitators of the cluster initiative attended a three day training program designed by the Economic Competitiveness Group in Berkeley, California. The EC Group has an extensive record providing cluster project development nationally and internationally and is one of the few consulting companies that provide hands on training to cluster facilitators. The current phase of the cluster initiative involves strategic mapping, securing private industry support and collaborative developments for identified strategies. Also beginning during the current phase are collaborative events and meetings to build the foundation required for clusters to succeed. The Northwest NC Cluster Initiative is unique in that it is focused on a small rural area and is built on a single cluster strategy (Advanced Materials) that is in a pre-cluster stage of development.

Find out more about the cluster initiative

Clusters offer many benefits to small businesses and local economies.General information about clusters is available here. The initiative's facilitators identified several desirable outcomes during their training workshop with the Economic Competitiveness Group, Inc.

Initiative goals

To strengthen the region's capacity to develop and increase the number o fadvanced materials manufacturers, suppliers, and related industries through collaborative efforts (from existing and new business development).
To stimulate economic development in the region by expanding existing and new business growth related ot advanced materials development within the region.
To identify targeted advanced materials products and suppliers to generate interest in business development within the region.
To research and seek out advanced materials companies seeking to expand or grow their businesses and determine the company's preliminary needs related to facilities, infrastructure, workforce, etc.
To serve as a liason between manufacturers and product/outsourcing opportunities for local business clusters.
To develop educational opportunities fo rthe existing and emerging workforce for advanced materials in public schools, community colleges, and universities.
To establish or expand regional, state, and national outreach projects, grants, and support funding for advanced materials research, education, and economic infrastructure development.
To promote collaboration at the local and state levels between county managers, town managers, economic developers, and other partners.
To maintain open communications with each county economic development corporations
To promote international awareness and opportunities for global development within the region.