Development of the Marine Science and Technology industry cluster in New England

The confluence of recent initiatives in ocean observation, offshore energy and port and harbor security, has reenergized the many stakeholders in marine technology industry in Southern New England to ensure they are well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities. As traditional sources of research and development funding have decreased there has been a resultant shift which is forcing a new paradigm whereby industry, academia and government must collaborate to leverage their complementary strengths more now than ever in the past. With sales totaling more than $4.8 billion in New England ($1.5 billion by Massachusetts companies), the marine science and technology (MAST) companies have significant market potential as an emerging growth cluster within the region's innovation economy. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's John Adams Innovation Institute (JAII) contracted with the SouthCoast Development Partnership (SCDP) to characterize New England's MAST cluster and to assess the need and feasibility for an expanded and more unified MAST association. The SCDP was charged with assessing the MAST companies in New England, determining an effective model for developing a strong voice for industry, identifying market opportunities to enhance the growth of the sector, and maximizing the economic benefit to the region. The project team conducted market research to identify potential areas of growth, impediments to growth and industry interest in an association devoted to marine science and technology. Casting a wide net over the region to include as many MAST organizations may be an effective way to create a collaborative environment to strengthen the economic base in the region. These groups include but are not limited to; Marine and Oceanographic Technology Network; Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation; Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center; Marine Technology Society of New England; The Quest Center; Regional Technology Development Corp; School for Marine Science and Technology/UMass Dartmouth; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center; and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. As a result of the survey work and the input from attendees at the November 1, 2007 event, Marine Science and Technology Business Opportunities: A Forum for Partnering, it was concluded that a stronger industry association is required to insure the economic success of recent and emerging regional and national investments in the MAST areas for Southern New England. Also, it was recommended that a group of industry leaders who have expressed interest in participating, be convened to begin defining strategies and tactics to advance the cluster by way of a strengthened and expanded industry association, using the existing structure of the Marine and Oceanographic Technology Network (MOTN). MOTN is a 501c (6) trade association created in 1993 to bring members together to address new business opportunities; to foster partnerships between commercial, government or research organizations; to increase the market presence of members; and finally to enable members to collaborate on specific projects that they might not otherwise be able to address as a single entity. This paper will present the rationale, data, methodology and recommendations from the Marine Industry Cluster Development project conducted in 2007 and continued through the summer of 2008. It will also address topics relating to market opportunities, economic development, and the need for workforce development as well as outline elements that a next-generation industry association should embody.