Table of contents
01
02
03

Overview



section 01
4

Industry cluster analysis
Contains clusters that are more concentrated in the region but are declining (negative growth).
These clusters typically fall into the lower quadrant as job losses cause a decline in concentration.
Contains clusters that are more concentrated in the region and are
growing. These clusters are strengths that help a community stand out from the competition.
Small, high-growth clusters can be expected to become more dominant over time.
Contains clusters that are under-represented in the
region (low concentration) and are also losing jobs.
Clusters in this region may indicate a gap in the workforce pipeline if local industries anticipate
a future need. In general, clusters in this quadrant show a lack of competitiveness. section 02
Contains clusters that are under-represented in the region but are growing, often quickly. If growth trends continue, these clusters will eventually move into the top right quadrant. Clusters in this quadrant are considered emerging strengths for the region.
Modified from: http://www.charlestonregionaldata.com/bubble-chart-explanation/
6

Industry and occupation
120%
Glass & Ceramics, 0,32 , 17
Note: Glass & Ceramics and clusters have too few jobs section 02
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
Note: Label includes cluster name, LQ 2014, and Employment 2014; NAICS 2012 definitions
7

Industry and occupation
Transforming
Note: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing cluster has too few jobs. Electrical Equipment, Appliance & Component Manufacturing cluster does not exist in the region. section 02
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
Note: Label includes cluster name, LQ 2014, and Employment 2014; NAICS 2012 definition
8

Industry cluster analysis
Primary Metal Manufacturing ( 8.31
; 582)
Fabricated Metal Product Mfg. ( 2.28
; 570)
Manufacturing Supercluster ( 1.95
; 2,031)
Computer & Electronic Product Mfg. ( 1.27
; 232)
Transportation & Logistics ( 1.14
; 1,106)
Biomed/Biotechnical (Life Science) ( 1.08
; 2,582)
Energy(Fossil & Renewable) ( 1.06
; 1,751)
Arts, Ent, Recreation. & Visitor Industries ( 0.49
; 621)
Information Technology & Telecom. ( 0.41
; 496)
Printing & Publishing ( 0.41
; 214)
Education & Knowledge Creation ( 0.23
; 161)
Apparel & Textiles ( 0.19
; 43)
Transportation Equipment Mfg. ( 0.13
; 36)
Agribusiness, Food Processing & Tech ( 5.22
; 4,743)
Mining ( 4.29
; 391)
Chemicals/Chemical-based Prod ( 3.24
; 1,207)
Machinery Manufacturing ( 3.02
; 612)
Advanced Materials ( 2.42
; 2,208)
Forest & Wood Products ( 1.16
; 507)
Percent Growth in Specialization
Business & Financial Services ( 0.46
; 1,886)
Glass & Ceramics ( 0.32
; 17)
Defense & Security ( 0.31
; 399) section 02
NOTE: The first number after each cluster represents its location quotient while the second number represents the number of total jobs (full and part time jobs by place of work) in that cluster in the region in 2014. The clusters are sorted in decreasing order by location quotient.
9

Industry and occupation
Mature Industries
Star Industries
Seven industry clusters in the Rivers Confluence
Region are in the Maturing stage: Primary Metal Mfg.,
Fabricated Metal Product Mfg., Manufacturing
Supercluster, Computer & Electronic Product Mfg.,
Transportation & Logistics, Biomed/Biotechnical, and
Energy. These industries are relatively concentrated, but their growth is trending downward. It is worth noting, however, that the Rivers Confluence Region may find it worthwhile to invest in efforts to shore up the concentration of these industries.
Star industry clusters are highly concentrated, exporting and still experiencing growth in the region.
The most highly concentrated of the Star industry clusters in the Rivers Confluence Region is
Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology. Its location quotient is 5.22, indicating that the cluster is 5 times more concentrated in the region compared to the
U.S. The other strong clusters in the region are Mining,
Chemicals/Chemical-based Products, Machinery
Manufacturing, Forest and Wood Product, and
Advanced Materials.
Transforming Industries
Emerging Industries
Transforming clusters capture the mix of industries that are experiencing relative decline and limited export capability. In the Rivers Confluence Region,
Arts, Ent, Recreation. & Visitor Industries, Information
Technology & Telecom., Printing & Publishing,
Education & Knowledge Creation, Apparel & Textiles,
Transportation Equipment Mfg., are all Transforming clusters. Any amount of growth in these industries would require relatively large investments.
Industry clusters that may be poised for future growth are classified as “Emerging.” There are three Emerging clusters in the Rivers Confluence Region: Business &
Financial Services, Defense & Security and Glass &
Ceramics.
section 02 Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
10

Shift-Share Analysis by Top Industry Sectors: The River Confluence Region, IA
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster
Industries
Animal Production
Wet Corn Milling
Crop Production
Meat Processed from Carcasses
Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating
Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers
Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment
Merchant Wholesalers
Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders
Farm Management Services
Other Animal Food Manufacturing
All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
Jobs 2014
1,930
747
411
339
280
234
178
166
144
112
60
44
33
14
National Trend,
2009-2014
142
55
36
23
16
11
7
17
11
3
2
5
4
0
Industry Trend,
2009-2014
-182
328
-32
-14
9
0
12
6
-1
-9
3
4
-2
0
Note: Upward arrow ( ) indicates regional competitiveness. EMSI does not include detailed sectors for Cotton Ginning section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
Regional
Performance,
2009-2014
94
-359
-65
33
44
76
65
-82
-14
50
0
-7
4
14
12

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster
Industries
Crop Production
Animal Production and Aquaculture
Rail transportation
Natural Gas Distribution
Other Animal Food Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload
Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
Meat Processed from Carcasses
Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing **
Inland Water Freight Transportation *
Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing **
All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
Wet Corn Milling
Estimated Input
($ Millions), 2013
$464.47
$142.74
$46.07
$45.88
$37.86
$27.98
$20.71
$19.46
$18.02
$17.54
$16.21
$15.23
$13.11
$12.95
$10.19
Note: * industry sector has less than 10 jobs as calculated by EMSI; ** industry sector is not present in the region.
% In-Region
4%
3%
23%
26%
4%
4%
28%
53%
98%
58%
0%
4%
0%
5%
99%
% Out of Region
96%
97%
77%
74%
96%
96%
72%
47%
2%
42%
100%
96%
100%
95%
1% section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
13

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
14

Top Occupations: The River Confluence Region, IA
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster
Occupations Jobs 2014
% Change,
2009-2014
Median Hourly
Earnings, $
2014
$10.9
Entry Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and
Greenhouse
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Food Batchmakers
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers,
Hand
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing,
Except Technical and Scientific Products
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Production Workers, All Other
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating
Workers
Animal Trainers
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Agricultural Equipment Operators
1,977
258
165
158
119
97
73
71
70
66
61
60
58
55
55
-1%
18%
9%
7%
7%
24%
16%
15%
17%
12%
7%
13%
26%
20%
38%
$10.3
$13.8
$15.8
$13.2
$12.2
$21.2
$16.1
$13.2
$23.6
$14.5
$19.3
$12.0
$20.5
$16.3
Less than high school
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than high school
Less than high school
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary non-degree award
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary non-degree award
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than high school
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than high school
Note: SOC (Standard Occupation Classification) 5-digit occupations are included by jobs in 2014. Extended proprietors include estimates for underreported self employment, proprietorships, trusts, partnerships and cooperatives. section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
15

Shift-Share Analysis by Top Industry Sectors: The River Confluence Region, IA
Advanced Materials Cluster
Industries
Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use
Steel Foundries (except Investment)
Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper
Manufacturing
All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product
Manufacturing
Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory
Manufacturing
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
Machine Shops
All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and
Preparation Manufacturing
Paint and Coating Manufacturing
Plate Work Manufacturing
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use
Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
Note: Upward arrow ( ) indicates regional competitiveness. section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
Jobs 2014
172
149
68
67
48
33
32
32
27
594
515
207
187
16
13
National Trend,
2009-2014
29
42
23
12
8
12
0
0
8
5
3
3
0
0
6
Industry Trend,
2009-2014
32
15
-34
-22
3
-15
1
0
15
1
0
1
0
0
18
Regional
Performance,
2009-2014
158
-91
-83
43
50
-3
60
61
-76
-33
-5
-15
27
16
-92
16

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Advanced Materials Cluster
Industries
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing **
Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing **
All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
Machine Shops
Paper (except Newsprint) Mills **
Petrochemical Manufacturing **
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
Adhesive Manufacturing *
Paperboard Mills **
Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use
Logging
Rail transportation
All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing
Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing
Estimated Input
($ Millions), 2013
$4.67
$4.55
$4.50
$4.23
$4.04
$4.00
$3.43
$17.21
$8.64
$7.38
$7.25
$7.14
$6.82
$5.60
$5.10
Note: * industry sector has less than 10 jobs as calculated by EMSI; ** industry sector is not present in the region.
% In-Region
0%
0%
71%
2%
27%
0%
0%
0%
0%
5%
46%
4%
0%
0%
3% section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
% Out of Region
100%
100%
29%
98%
73%
100%
100%
100%
100%
95%
54%
96%
100%
100%
97%
17

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Advanced Materials Cluster section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
18

Top Occupations: The River Confluence Region, IA
Advanced Materials Cluster
Occupations Jobs 2014
% Change,
2009-2014
Median Hourly
Earnings, $
2014
Entry Level Education
Production Workers, All Other
Team Assemblers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and
Operating Workers
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine
Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and
Plastic
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and
Weighers
103
91
85
82
16%
-6%
-2%
3%
$13.2
$14.9
$23.6
$11.7
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary non-degree award
High school diploma or equivalent
Tire Builders
Machinists
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting
Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
77
74
72
68
56
55
7%
57%
-9%
48%
4%
2%
$17.0
$18.1
$17.6
$14.3
$15.9
$19.3
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators,
46
Note: SOC (Standard Occupation Classification) 5-digit occupations are included by jobs in 2014. Extended proprietors include estimates for underreported self
40
10%
-2%
$20.5
$18.9
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers section 03
35
35
-10%
-3%
$17.8
High school diploma or equivalent
$32.3
Bachelor's degree
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material
33 -3% $13.2
Less than high school
19

Shift-Share Analysis by Top Industry Sectors: The River Confluence Region, IA
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) Cluster
Industries Jobs 2014
National Trend,
2009-2014
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
Home Health Care Services
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
Other Residential Care Facilities
Ambulance Services
All Other Health and Personal Care Stores
Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Facilities
Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Centers
Residential Intellectual and Developmental
Disability Facilities
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Kidney Dialysis Centers
Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Stores
950
512
267
253
161
99
63
54
42
39
38
27
21
18
5
1
Note: Upward arrow ( ) indicates regional competitiveness. EMSI estimates show no jobs for Dental Laboratories.
0
0
1
12
2
5
4
87
49
9
16
0
Industry Trend,
2009-2014
-15
-3
2
1
-54
-46
9
42
0
8
0
0
1
1 section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
Regional
Performance,
2009-2014
-226
-137
137
-20
8
74
-8
-7
40
-36
26
27
15
-3
20

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) Cluster
Industries
Estimated Input
($ Millions), 2013
% In-Region
Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers
Temporary Help Services
Offices of Lawyers
Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers **
Investment Advice
Direct Life Insurance Carriers *
Administrative Management and General Management
Consulting Services
Office Administrative Services
In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing **
Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing**
Wired Telecommunication Carriers
Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing**
Ambulance Services
Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing**
All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing**
$1.73
$1.42
$1.42
$1.40
$1.09
$1.02
$0.85
$0.76
$0.66
$2.70
$2.29
$2.25
$1.96
$1.84
$1.77
8%
57%
9%
0%
61%
2%
7%
20%
0%
0%
24%
0%
87%
0%
0%
Note: * industry sector has less than 10 jobs as calculated by EMSI; ** industry sector is not present in the region. section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
% Out of Region
93%
80%
100%
100%
76%
100%
13%
100%
100%
92%
43%
91%
100%
39%
98%
21

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) Cluster
Note: Top 15 related input sectors are included. Large supply chain gaps such as petroleum refineries are excluded. section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
22

Top Occupations: The River Confluence Region, IA
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) Cluster
Occupations
Nursing Assistants
Registered Nurses
Home Health Aides
Personal Care Aides
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational
Nurses
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Pharmacy Technicians
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Medical and Health Services Managers
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Pharmacists
Retail Salespersons
Cashiers
Jobs 2014
412
384
188
117
94
82
72
64
53
52
46
39
38
35
26
% Change,
2009-2014
-8%
-13%
40%
41%
-5%
-2%
4%
12%
-5%
-9%
10%
-3%
-3%
-3%
-13%
Median Hourly
Earnings, $
2014
Entry Level Education
$10.4
Postsecondary non-degree award
$23.5
Associate's degree
$8.7
Less than high school
$8.8
Less than high school
$16.3
Postsecondary non-degree award
$7.9
Less than high school
$12.6
High school diploma or equivalent
$9.8
Less than high school
$14.7
Postsecondary non-degree award
$29.9
Bachelor's degree
$9.1
Less than high school
$50.8
Doctoral or professional degree
$10.7
Less than high school
$8.8
Less than high school
$20.2
Associate's degree section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
23

Shift-Share Analysis by Top Industry Sectors: The River Confluence Region, IA
Chemicals Cluster
Industries Jobs 2014
National Trend,
2009-2014
Industry Trend,
2009-2014
Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use
Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing
All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and
Preparation Manufacturing
Paint and Coating Manufacturing
Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant
Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals)
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing
All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
594
280
149
47
33
32
22
15
12
29
16
12
2
5
3
1
1
5
32
9
-15
-1
1
0
-1
-2
1
Note: Upward arrow ( ) indicates regional competitiveness. EMSI estimates show no jobs for Adhesive Manufacturing; Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing;
Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing; Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing; Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased
Glass; and Other Concrete Product Manufacturing in Chemicals Cluster. Chemical cluster in River Confluence Region is comprised of few industry sectors.
Regional
Performance,
2009-2014
158
44
-3
24
-33
-1
-65
-5
9 section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors). 24

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Chemicals Cluster
Industries
Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing **
Petroleum Refineries **
Natural Gas Distribution
Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing **
Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing **
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing **
Petrochemical Manufacturing **
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
Rail transportation
Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use
Logging
Machine Shops
Estimated Input
($ Millions), 2013
$17.29
$15.56
$14.87
$13.70
$12.59
$10.50
$7.89
$7.38
$5.81
$5.57
$5.38
$5.33
$4.43
$4.23
$4.00
Note: * industry sector has less than 10 jobs as calculated by EMSI; ** industry sector is not present in the region. section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
% In-Region
0%
3%
27%
71%
2%
4%
99%
0%
0%
53%
0%
47%
5%
0%
0%
% Out of Region
100%
97%
73%
29%
98%
96%
1%
100%
100%
47%
100%
53%
95%
100%
100%
25

Top 15 Inputs by Dollars: The River Confluence Region, IA
Chemicals Cluster section 03
Source: EMSI Class of Worker 2014.4 (QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors).
26

Top Occupations: The River Confluence Region, IA
Chemicals Cluster
Occupations Jobs 2014
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Tire Builders
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting
Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Production Workers, All Other
First-Line Supervisors of Production and
Operating Workers
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Team Assemblers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and
Weighers
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Tenders
33
Industrial Machinery Mechanics 32
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders section 03
23
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine
80
74
68
61
46
45
42
39
37
36
34
% Change,
2009-2014
10%
57%
51%
24%
12%
5%
27%
22%
16%
38%
-19%
-3%
23%
53%
Median Hourly
Earnings, $
2014
$22.2
$18.1
$14.3
$13.2
$23.6
$15.2
$14.9
$16.1
$19.3
$17.0
$23.0
$13.8
$20.5
$16.1
Entry Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary non-degree award
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary non-degree award
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent 27
High school diploma or

This report was supported, in part, by grant from the USDA Rural Development through the auspices of the Southern Rural Development
Center. It was produced in support of the Stronger Economies Together (SET) program.
28