Portals of Innovation - Innovation Clusters

Developing industry clusters has become a popular approach for economic development planners to help their communities generate wealth and long-term prosperity. An industry cluster is a geographic concentration of interrelated firms and institutions that benefit from locating near each other. Through its work with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) program, the ECFRPC has worked to identify the clusters driving economic competitiveness within the East Central Florida region. This webinar will provide a quick overview about the nature of clusters, discuss the methodology used by the agency to identify and define these agglomerations, and provide other insights for planners interested in developing a cluster strategy for their communities. The Portals of Innovation webinar series offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders in East Central Florida to come together and address critical regional challenges. Launched in the spring of 2025 and continuing every second Thursday at 2:30 PM through September, this series is a strategic platform to empower stakeholders to shape the future of East Central Florida. It will address key challenges facing the ECF region and the state as a whole. Attendees will gain knowledge about funding mechanisms, successful best practices, and actionable plans to address urgent community needs, along with real-world case studies. The 2025 series included expert-led discussions focusing on key issues, including brownfield revitalization, food system resilience, flood risk mitigation, environmental adaptation, military infrastructure sustainability, and climate action planning. The Portals of Innovation series provides practical knowledge and actionable strategies to build a more resilient, economically sustainable East Central Florida. Gain access to actionable strategies, proven best practices, and innovative funding mechanisms, complemented by real-world case studies demonstrating tangible results. Join us as we unlock the 'Portals of Innovation.’