Governor Rowland: Number 13

WHEREAS, industry cluster economic development is a highly successful means of developing a state and regional economy that is market driven and private industry led, is premised on innovation .and productivity as the basis of economic competitiveness, aligns the talents and resources of business, government, academic institutions and labor and fosters and promotes the products and services of industries that are related by a common technology, market or need;

WHEREAS, the General Assembly's recognition of the importance of industry cluster economic development is apparent in Public Act 96-252, "An Act Concerning Cluster-Based Economic Development," and in Public Act 98-203, "An Act Concerning Industry Clusters, The Connecticut-Israel Exchange Commission and a Twenty-First Century Action Plan Commission";

WHEREAS, I recruited an array of senior executives from companies of varying sizes, geographic locations and products to form the initial Industry Cluster Advisory Boards;

WHEREAS, the Industry Cluster Advisory Boards studied and analyzed Connecticut's economic competitiveness and opportunities for business and job growth;

WHEREAS, the Industry Cluster Advisory Boards issued a report, "Partnership for Growth: Connecticut's Economic Competitiveness Strategy," in February 1998;

WHEREAS, the Partnership for Growth report contained important recommendations for legislative, administrative and private sector action;

WHEREAS, numerous recommendations of the Partnership for Growth report were enacted by the Connecticut General Assembly, indicating a broad bipartisan consensus to support industry cluster economic development; and

WHEREAS, it is our common goal to implement the recommendations of the Cluster Advisory Boards and promote industry cluster economic development in order to enhance Connecticut's economy, make Connecticut a prime location in which to start or grow a business and create secure, fulfilling and well-paid career opportunities.

NOW THEREFORE, I, John G. Rowland, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State and in the spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship demanded by the importance of this matter, do hereby ORDER AND DIRECT:

1.	That there is hereby created the Governor's Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology (hereinafter the "Governor's Council").
2.	That the Governor's Council shall be co-chaired by the Governor and another person or persons designated by the Governor.
3.	That membership in the Governor's Council shall be designated by the Governor and consist of: (A) its co-chairs; (B) representatives of business, holding the title of Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer or the equivalent of the foregoing designations, drawn from key industry clusters and firms of small, medium and large capitalization; (C) the Speaker of the House of Representatives or his or her designee; (D) the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives or his or her designee; (E) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or his or her designee; (F) the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or his or her designee; (G) the Majority Leader of the Senate or his or her designee; (H) the Minority Leader of the Senate or his or her designee; (1) representatives of organized labor; (J) representatives of academic institutions; (K) the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development; and (L) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
4.	That all initial appointments shall be made by December 15, 1998.
5.	That the mission of the Governor's Council shall be to encourage and assist private sector industry cluster activation and effectiveness, advise and assist the executive and legislative branches of Connecticut state government and the private sector on matters relating to industry cluster economic development and monitor, assess and evaluate the activation and effectiveness of industry clusters in Connecticut.
6.	The Governor's Council shall have the following powers: (A) to obtain from any executive branch department, board, commission or other agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it to carry out the purposes of this executive order; (B) to accept any gifts, donations, bequests or grants of funds from private entities for all or any of the purposes of this executive order; and (C) to perform such other acts as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the objectives and purposes of this executive order.
7.	That the Governor's Council shall hold at least two meetings each year, one in preparation for each Connecticut General Assembly session and one during or after the close of each such session.
8.	That this Order shall take effect immediately and be effective for three years from the date hereof.