United States of America

A highly advanced economy like the US is internationally known for the entertainment cluster of Hollywood, finance cluster of New York, furniture cluster of High Point, North Carolina, etc. SMEs in clusters is a well-recognized phenomenon also in the US. Detroit, is the center of America automotive cluster. Wall Street epitomizes America financial cluster, Los Angeles is the home of its entertainment cluster. Silicon Valley is the heart of a highly successful IT cluster. Dalton is home to 174 carpet mills accounting for 85% of USA carpet output, and almost half of the world carpet output. The US also has a strong position in several agricultural and agribusiness clusters such as fruits and nuts. Indeed, a significant portion of America competitive advantage rests with its natural resource clusters.

M Porter proposed incorporating industry cluster policy into inner city economic development in the United States.  He claimed that there are certain industries that are likely to locate in inner city areas and will receive a competitive advantage from the location.  Porter suggests that economic developers should identify these firms and encourage their development in central cities.  As clusters develop they can be used to target industry recruitment as well as to direct job training programs to fill the skill needs of these clusters.