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The purpose of this project was to examine the status and opportunities for business clustering within U.S. forest products and closely-related natural resource-based sectors. The project used several approaches to identify business cluster models adopted in forestry, explore partnerships among cluster entities, and examine policies, strategies and support mechanisms that can make clustering successful. Information collected during the study (summer and fall 2008) was also used to develop a template for a national registry of forest business clusters.

The project constituted a comprehensive research effort comprised of the following components:

• A literature review was conducted to examine adopted business cluster models, determine benefits and challenges associated with business clustering, and identify forest business clusters within the U.S. forest sector reported in the literature. The project reviewed over 100 scientific articles, industry reports, and assessment reports.
• A nation-wide online survey was conducted to seek opinion from U.S. forest sector stakeholders on major drivers, advantages, and disadvantages of business clustering in the forest sector, and determine needed support. The questionnaire was also used to identify existing forest business clusters for inclusion in the cluster registry.
• Geospatial and econometric analyses were conducted to examine socio-economic factors and resources affecting clustering among wood-using mills in the U.S. South. This study analyzed the reasons behind clustering that can be used to guide regional economic development in the industry.
• Phone interviews with individuals knowledgeable of forest business clusters in the public and private sectors were conducted to develop case studies illustrating clustering approaches in various regions of the U.S. This component helped identify conditions specific to a given cluster that could not be captured in the econometric analysis.
• A website featuring a registry of forest business clusters was created and launched in 2009. The registry allows entry of new clusters.