Hi !

Boomtown Institute's International Collaboration
A few weeks ago The Agurban reported on the development of food incubators in the United States. That article started a discussion between Rod Brown, of Canberra, Australia, and myself. Rod was kind enough to write about the experiences they're having Down Under developing food entrepreneurs. Boomtown Institute is proud to bring you economic and community development information from an international standpoint. We hope to have more opportunities to share international practitioners' views, concerns and opinions in the future. Please let us know if you have ideas or interests you would like us to report on.

Letter from Rod Brown:
Hi Jack and friends

I am a long-time reader of Agurban, and run a regional network of ED professionals here in Australia.

Last month I was addressing a local government conference in Tasmania (home of Errol Flynn, Princess Mary of Denmark and the Tassie Devil). My core message was that regions should think about a 'positioning strategy' - just as businesses do - and the creation of a strategic architecture that helps firms capture or create business opportunities. This architecture is a unique combination of physical infrastructure, technologies, core competencies and human capital that can take advantage of a business or trade opportunity.

Well, I got to thinking that Tasmania is a nice compact region, with an excellent brand and credentials in environmental management, a former track record in manufacturing, and the need for value-adding niche industries. I posed the question - could Tasmania develop a strong adventure and leisure industries agenda?

Let me explain. There are three major adventure chains in Australia - Paddy Palin, Khatmandu and Mountain Designs. Three years ago, I browsed around the latter's Launceston (Tasmania) outlet and asked the manager if there were any Tasmanian products in stock - he could only point to packets of beef jerky. But the shelves were full of high value, foreign and interstate product lines:

• Hiking boots and thermal clothing - Europe, USA.
• Hiking and camping cooking utensils - France, Switzerland
• Specialist measuring and optical equipment - Switzerland, Germany, Japan.
• Energy food and drink - New Zealand, Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
• Kayaks and small, specialist boats - New Zealand.
• Fishing equipment - Japan, RO Korea, Taiwan, China.