Economic Development Strategy, Planning, and Evaluation

Mt. Auburn provides a full range of consulting services in the field of economic development analysis and strategy. Working with a variety of public and private organizations, the firm creates effective economic development policies and programs that promote economic growth and stability, job generation, and the improved functioning of capital markets.

about us

about us

approach

what we do

strategic planning

evaluation

development finance

workforce development

technology development and commercialization

cluster analysis, strategy, and organizing

focus areas

staff

cluster analysis, strategy, and organizing

Mt. Auburn Associates is one of the leading experts in economic cluster analysis in the country.  The firm has been researching and analyzing economic clusters for almost 20 years.  As a result of that experience, Mt. Auburn has developed a strong vision of what is needed to make a cluster strategy successful:

• Expert use of not only quantitative analysis, but also critically important qualitative analysis.  Mt. Auburn uses federal and state data as a starting point to understand clusters, not an end point.  We rely on interviews with key business and industry leaders, as well as focus groups, discussions with trade associations, and literature reviews to give us the most accurate information about the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of any given economic cluster.

• Identification of local assets and areas of real competitive advantage.  Mt. Auburn helps clients tap the clusters that provide unique advantage to the region.  Identifying and nurturing clusters requires a deep understanding of the local economic base and what drives it since clusters can defy conventional industry definitions

• Workforce development issues are tightly integrated in the cluster approach.  While developing strategies that are highly responsive to the needs of the regional cluster, Mt. Auburn maintains a focus on the ultimate goal: creating economic opportunities for individuals and communities at the lower end of the economic scale.  One critical way that we accomplish this goal is by integrating workforce development strategies, addressing training, access, and career ladder programs within the cluster plan.

• Customized strategies built on local conditions, aspirations, and capacity.  Mt. Auburn helps clients identify the unique needs and opportunities of the local cluster and develop original strategies to meet that specific situation. 

Cluster experience: