The paper and printing industries are important employers in this region. However, a slight negative growth rate is forecasted for the period 1995 to 2005 for both the printing industry (-0.2 percent) and the paper industry (-0.7 percent), while the US paper industry is expected to show about 0.2 percent and the printing industry 0.4 percent annual growth. This almost flat or negative forecast could be reversed if regional businesses can overcome some of the challenges they face. With better trained workers, for example, the paper/printing industry could achieve increased productivity and, in turn, expand workforce as output goes up, costs are reduced and expansions take place.

In fact, by developing new ways of collaborating among themselves-as buyers, suppliers and partners-the region's Paper and Printing Cluster should also be able to add more value and innovate and reduce costs for global markets. The cluster would become more healthy locally as companies take advantage of locating and remaining near these unique customer-supplier relationships in the region. Decreasing input costs such as utility rates and raw materials would also persuade the local paper companies to remain and grow in the region.