An industry cluster organization is an organization that is set up to support the development of an industry cluster, and then to be a voice for the cluster when dealing with government officials regarding the cluster's needs. Ten clusters have been identified by TREO: aerospace and defense analytical instruments/optics medical devices bio-industry environmental technology institutional/private R&D information technology business services financial services transportation and logistics

Another tactic devised by TREO is to improve education. TREO wants to attract industry clusters with high-paying jobs. To do this, they need workers who can meet the needs of those firms. Thus, TREO is making a number of efforts to address this issue in the Tucson area. These efforts include developing an "education first" culture, securing financial resources for education, collaborating for a more rigorous curriculum and forming business/education partnerships to ensure that our education system is meeting the needs of business.

Redeveloping downtown Tucson is also considered to be one of the most important parts of TREO's strategy. TREO believes that a vibrant downtown helps to attract highly-educated younger workers...

Thus, improving downtown is one of TREO's highest priorities. The blueprint identifies as the most important elements of downtown development:
establishing a group dedicated to downtown revitalization targeting the most desirable growth corridors with master planning and strategic investment planning for smart growth

With all of these plans in place, and a couple of others, TREO hopes to propel the economy of the Tucson area for the next few decades at least.

Works Cited

Securing Our Future Now: An Economic Blueprint for the Tucson Region" Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. Acquired online December 3, 2008 at http://www.treoaz.org/TREO/media/docs/Executive%20Summary%20FNL.pdf

2007) "SWOT Analysis" Quick MBA Acquired online December 3, 2008 at http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/SWOT/

Waits, Mary Jo. (2000) "The Added Value to the Industry Cluster Approach to Economic Analysis, Strategy Development, and Service Delivery" Economic Development Quarterly. Vol. 14, No. 1, pp.35-50.

2008) "Economic Benefits of Downtown Revitalization" PCEDC Acquired online December 3, 2008 at http://www.pcedc.org/pcedcnews/111306.html