Economic development through the cluster approach provides a logical base for business retention, expansion, and recruitment. A cluster is traditionally defined as a closely related geographic group of interconnected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, including product producers, service providers, suppliers, universities, and trade associations. Clusters are created from the linkages that exist in a geographic area around a specific industry.

The Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council (KREDC) has identified the following as existing or emerging clusters in Kitsap County: defense, manufacturing, technology, back office/administrative services, marine, health services and tourism. Each month, a KPBJ article will highlight one of these clusters by focusing on a business in that cluster.