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as a source of specialized training. Programs like BioNetwork have been developed to meet industry specific needs, and training is often included in incentive packages for firms considering relocating to North Carolina (NC Commerce, 2009). Research and Industrial Parks Research Triangle Park initiated a hub of research and development. Several other research parks have appeared in the state, such as Piedmont Triad Park (Starner, 2008). The impact of these developments go beyond the firms within the park, but at least 1,500 spin -off firms have come from RTP alone (Starner, 2008). In addition to the large research parks, there are several industrial parks across the state and 36 such parks within the Research Triangle Regional Partnership Region (Luger, 2003). A 2003 study of the potential for a hub -based strategy suggests that these parks have considerable amounts of available land in the region. It should be noted that Orange County does not have such an industrial park. While this study further suggests that there are too many industrial parks and that counties should cooperate to plan these industrial uses better, the amount of available land and therefore low prices can be seen as an advantage for the region. Workforce A lower percentage of North Carolinians, 25 %, have Bachelor's degrees, compared to the national average of 27% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008). Regionally, however there is a significant advantage, with 47% of adults having a Bachelor's degree (RTRP, 2003). Clusters All of the regional economic development partnerships in the state have analyzed their regional clusters and targeted their recruitment towards growing clusters that provide good jobs. The Research Triangle Regional Partnership undertook such a study in 2003, identifying high tech clusters within the "core metro," "non -core metro," and "non- metro" sub - regions. The following are regionally identified clusters: • Advanced Gaming and E- Learning • Advanced Medical Care • Agricultural Biotechnology • Analytical Instrumentation • Biological Agents /infectious Diseases • Clean /Green Technologies • Defense Technologies • Informatics • Nanoscale Technologies • Pervasive Computing • Pharmaceuticals (RTRP, 2009b) These clusters provide high paying jobs in growing sectors. The Research Triangle region provides support to targeted clusters, through research centers, community college programs, recruiting conferences and events, and continuing with cluster research (RTI International, 2009).