This case study examines efforts by economic development practitioners, local government officials and local corporations to create a renewable energy cluster in the mid-Michigan region. It demonstrates how local regional comparative advantages can be harnessed to achieve a well-articulated vision.

Region: Mid-Michigan (Saginaw, Midland)
Relevant Module: Detecting Regional Assets
Other Topics:Regionalism, Regional Planning, Regional Advantage, Successful Visioning

The Texoma Regional Consortium case illustrates how regional cooperation can occur across state lines and despite strong state rivalries.

Region: “Texoma” (the ten southernmost counties of Oklahoma and the three northernmost counties of Texas along the Red River)
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Definitions of Regional Prosperity; Issues in Bounding a Region; Common Obstacles to Collaboration  

The Future Forward experience illustrates the issues that arise when deciding how to bound your region, shows the importance of successful visioning and demonstrates the immediate benefits to cross-jurisdictional cooperation.

Region:  the Western Piedmont of North Carolina (the twelve counties that make up Future Forward comprised a region bounded by Asheville to the west, the Tri-Cities to the north, the Triad to the east and Charlotte to the south)
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Definitions of Regional Prosperity; Issues in Bounding a Region; Common Obstacles to Collaboration

The Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) case study demonstrates the advantages of articulating varied shareholder concerns into a concise, well-crafted vision statement.

Region: Tucson, Arizona
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics:  Building on a Clear Vision, Visioning

The Department of Labor's WIRED program seeks to reinvent the field of workforce development to account for the transition from a manufacturing economy to an economy based on innovation.  

Region:  39 regions total (13 each in three “Generation” groupings)
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Drivers of Economic Competitiveness, Collaborative RED Planning Approach; the Innovation Economy

Engage Regional Participation - Montana’s WIRED Region Agro-Energy Plan

Region: East Central Montana
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Engaging Regional Participation, Establishing Competitive Regional Economy, Regional Strategic Planning

The Team NEO case study illustrates the benefits associated with regional cooperation and demonstrates how an economic development organization can bring together stakeholders, facilitate meetings and direct energies towards the achievement of a mutually beneficient goal.

Region:  the thirteen-county region in northeast Ohio centered on Cleveland
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Collaborative RED Planning Approach; Successes and Failures; Engaging Leaders, Partners and Champions 

The Kentucky Highlands Empowerment Zone case study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach in economic development, with each success building off past efforts. 

Region:  the three southernmost counties of Kentucky (the "Kentucky Highlands")
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Holistic Approaches to Successful Visioning

The Montgomery County example demonstrates some of the organizational and behavioral challenges inherent in merging economic and workforce development practitioners.

Region: Montgomery County, Maryland
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Linking Workforce and Economic Development; Employee Training  

The North Central Indiana case study illustrates how economic and workforce developers grew into a unified relationship organically and over time. It drives home the importance of the efficiencies and economies of scale gained through such collaborative partnerships.

Region: North Central Indiana
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework, Leading the Planning Effort, and Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Regional Identity, Collaboration, Engaging the Public, Visioning  

This situation is truly interesting - what does a region focus on when its economy is booming? In the case of Northwest Arkansas, the chosen focus became cultural and centered around quality of life.

Region: Northwest Arkansas
Relevant Module: Collaborative RED Framework
Other Topics: Economic Drivers, Art and Culture, Sustainability  

This case study illustrates the positive impact that can be achieved when an industry cluster is properly idetified and then supported with a variety of policy initiatives, including curriculum development.

Region: Northwest Pennsylvania
Relevant Module: Detecting Regional Advantage
Other Topics: Clusters, Finding Quality Workers, Needs Assessment

Innovative Local Economic Development Programs

Region: Tempe, Arizona
Relevant Module: Leading the Planning Effort, Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Matching Graduates to Industry Needs, Recruiting Students, Creating Partnerships

This example shows the power of successful visioning and illustrates the challenges in building consensus for a unifying set of regional strategies.

Region: Northern Kentucky
Relevant Module: Leading the Planning Effort
Other Topics: Developing a Call to Action, Engaging Leaders, Partners, and Champions, and Sustaining Momentum to Overcome Obstacles

Adapting to Continuous Change

Region: North Carolina
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Adapting to Continuous Change, Engaging Leaders, Partners, and Champions, and Sustaining Momentum to Overcome Obstacles

Creating Holistic Strategies: The AdvantageWest Example

Region: North Carolina
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Strategic Thinking; Clusters; Regional Vision

Making Iterative Changes: Innovation Frontier Arizona

Region: Four Counties in Arizona: Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Yuma
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Making Iterative Changes, WIRED, Regional Vision

Offering Unique Amenities: Branson, Missouri

Region: Branson, Missouri
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics:Formulating Strategies, Unique Amenities

Communication: Waukesha’s CONVERSAcTIONS

Region: Waukesha, located between Chicago and Milwaukee
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics:Strategic Planning, Communication Strategies

Defining A Region: Corridor I-91

Region: I-91 Corridor in Connecticut and Massachusetts
Relevant Module: Detecting Regional Assets
Other Topics:Regionalism, Regional Planning, Regional Boundaries

Establishing Fact-Based Strategies - Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Employer Survey

Region: Dallas-Forth Worth
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Regionalism, Strategic Planning, Workforce Development

Fact-Based: The Paso del Norte Industry Cluster Project

Region: El Paso, Texas
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Regionalism, Strategic Planning, Industry Clusters

Developing Strategies for Continuous Improvement: The Maine Economic Growth Council

Region: Maine
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Regionalism, Strategic Planning, Strategic Indicators

Establish Global Brand Presence: Milwaukee 7

Region: Milwaukee County and six surrounding Wisconsin Counties
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics:Creating a Regional Identify, Establishing Global Brand Presence

Collaborate Across Silos - Oklahoma's EDGE

Region: Oklahoma
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Engaging Regional Participation, Engaging Regional Leaders and Stakeholders

Making Iterative Changes - Pacific Mountain Washington

Region: Area around Olympia, Washington
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Regional Strategic Planning, Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders

Build Social Networks and Civic Support: Eagle County, Colorado

Region: Eagle County, Colorado
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Regional Strategic Planning, Identifying Regional Assets and Challenges

Being Opportunistic - Science Foundation Arizona

Region: Arizona
Relevant Module: Collaborative Regional Economic Development Planning Framework
Other Topics: Regional Strategic Planning, Identifying Regional Assets and Challenges

Establishing Global Brand Presence - Florida’s Space Coast

Region: Brevard County, Florida
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Regional Strategic Planning, Establishing Global Brand Presence

Good Governance - Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance

Region: Stanislaus County, California
Relevant Module: Leading the Planning Effort
Other Topics: Linking Workforce Development and Economic Development, Regionalism

Supporting Entrepreneurship - UCSD Connect

Region: San Diego, California
Relevant Module: Formulating Strategies
Other Topics: Supporting Entrepreneurship, Clusters, Regionalism