Editorials - In June 2001 the Greater Peterborough Economic Development Corp. (GPAEDC) organized a symposium on “Developing Environmental Clusters in Peterborough.” Representatives of most of the area’s business, academic and governmental organizations were invited. Mary Jo Waits, invited from the Morrison Institute at Arizona State as a respected researcher in public policy and industry clusters, laid out the key elements for the development of a successful cluster as follows:

1) a cluster cannot be forced;

2) a critical mass of industries actively involved in the cluster focus must have first established on its own because of whatever natural, cultural and business environments naturally exist;

3) in the southwest U. S. the required critical mass has averaged 20 private businesses in addition to whatever other infrastructure such as colleges and government labs exist;

4) after this critical mass has been achieved, a cluster exists and its growth can then be nourished and catalyzed by investment in infrastructure by government agencies, universities etc..

At this meeting the GPAEDC along with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College were promoting environmental clusters and in particular watershed management. However their homework was not complete and they had neglected to consult with those already involved in and responsible for watershed management, namely Conservation Ontario, the area conservation authorities, University of Guelph etc. The initiative did not survive this initial promotion.

After overselling the cluster concept the group needed and therefore forced other cluster ideas. They latched onto DNA technology and the embryo forming at Trent, promoting it for more than it is and trying to force it to grow at an unnatural pace. Why? To obtain government, including municipal, funding? To waste more taxpayers’ dollars on another dream? Where is a definable return? Industry does not fund dreams. Industry does not allow itself to get five or 10 years ahead of itself. Where are the private industry participants? Where is the business plan?

I compliment the DNA team at Trent for their accomplishments but I caution them not to get swept away in all this promotion. As they are aware there are many DNA research groups across Canada. The correct timing for a DNA cluster will be when these groups decide to cluster.

Robert Salter is a former general manager of Lakefield Research and chief administrative officer of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority. He now acts as a private consultant.