Clusters in Sarasota, Florida

Last year, Sarasota, Florida hired three consulting firms to analyze the local economy and identify emerging clusters.

In a report published in February, the consultants suggested that Sarasota's economy is at risk because it's dominated by tourism and real estate development, sectors that pay wages below the national average. The consultants said the county's economy is also at risk because exports from regional companies have stagnated.

Sarasota companies exported $202 million worth of goods and services in 1999, a mere 8 percent increase from 1993. Companies in the Tampa and Melbourne metro areas, by comparison, increased their exports by 85 percent or more during the same period.

To create a more vibrant economy, the consultants recommended that Sarasota concentrate on stimulating four promising industry clusters: "Life and Environmental Sciences," "Technology," "Creative Services" and "Specialty Manufacturing."

They selected those clusters by looking at the level of employment in each of the groups relative to the national average and by considering special assets that each group has to offer.

For example, the Creative Services cluster, which includes architects, graphic designers, Web developers, film producers and other artistic types, was included because of the conglomeration of students and faculty at the Ringling School of Art and Design, one of the top institutions of its kind in the country.

Will clusters help grow the Sarasota regional economy? Local officials are hopeful, but it's a struggle to get local companies engaged in the clusters and increase their collaboration. These are common issues in most areas trying to follow the cluster development model. Time will tell. One thing is clear though. Unless there is a compelling reason for Sarasota companies to work together, they won't. Right now, it does not seem like that compelling reason exists.

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