What is a footloose industry?

Footloose industries are those that do not have to locate close to raw materials (unlike the early iron
and steel industry that had to locate close to iron ore and coal etc). Footloose industries locate in
pleasant environments near transport routes and near the markets. An example of a footloose
industry would be a hi-tech industry such as computing. Footloose industries have to locate close to
research centres like universities. Development in the hi-tech industry happen so fast that
companies need to stay up to date to survive e.g. Science Parks around Cambridge. Footloose
industries are usually non-polluting and can locate close to residential areas.
What is the Hi-Tech Industry?
A High technology (Hi-tech) industry is one that produces sophisticated products. There is a
significant emphasis on research and development. Often the 'raw materials'
are electrical components. Examples of Hi-tech industries include:
• Computers
• Telecommunications
• Aerospace and military equipment
Science Parks
Science Parks are located on the edge of cities in greenfield locations. Many of the firms located in
science parks are connected with information, high-technology, and electronic industries. Science
parks have direct links with universities for research. They have attractive layouts with grassy areas,
ornamental gardens, ponds etc. An example is The Cambridge Science Park.
The Cambridge Science Park
The Cambridge Science Park is on the edge of Cambridge, alongside the M11 and the A10. It is
located here because it is very accessible, land values are lower on the edge of an urban area and
there is plenty of open space for expansion. A number of companies have links with research
departments at Cambridge University. You can find out more about the Cambridge Science Park
here.

1. FOOTLOOSE INDUSTRIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. To know the key factors affecting footloose industry
location. 2. To understand why the M4 Corridor is an excellent case study.
2.
3. Footloose Industries New industrial locations, in which the industrial structure is dominated by footloose industries ,
are most likely to be located next to motorways. The types of industry that they contain are often referred to as
sunrise industries . There are many of them along motorway corridors, such as the M11, M23, M3 and M4. The
greatest concentration of all is along the M4 corridor between London and Reading. Light industries in this area
include electrical goods, car parts and many food companies. Many of the high-tech companies are engaged in
research and processing involving micro-electronics for computers and telecommunications equipment. High-tech
companies include Oracle and NEC.
4. General Advantages for the growth of light industries Locations next to motorways would suggest that transport is the
most important factor in deciding their location. Since they use or assemble parts of no great weight or bulk made by
other industries, transport to market is more significant than raw material assembly. The wealthiest and most
concentrated market in the country is Greater London. Being near to here is a great advantage. At the same time,
there are motorway connections to the rest of Britain, and a high-speed rail link follows the M4 corridor between
London and South Wales. Closeness to the Channel Tunnel is also important for access to EU markets. They also
benefit from nearness to London’s three main airports for international business links.
5. Specific Advantages for high-tech industries Labour is a key locational factor. The availability of highly skilled
research scientists and engineers is very important. The presence of several universities has helped to provide a pool
of graduates, and universities offer research facilities as well. The long-established presence of aerospace research
in Bristol area, undertaken by companies such as Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace, has been a further attraction
for some companies. Another important consideration is where these specialist workers prefer to live. Areas of
 pleasant countryside are close enough to be accessible at weekends, they are near to airports for holidays abroad,
and everywhere is within easy reach of London for big sporting events, exhibitions and West End shopping and
shows.
6. High-tech industry in the UK M4 Corridor Cambridge and the M11 corridor Where does high-tech industry locate in
the UK? Silicon Glen M3 corridor
7. High-tech industry on the M4 corridor
8. M4 Corridor

Resource-Based Industries
Since early colonization of the nation, Maryland residents have built and
sustained industries using natural resources of the land and water. The
value of the Chesapeake Bay, both economically and environmentally, is
important to the state, and therefore Maryland encourages business
development around companies with a mission that includes
environmental stewardship. Resource-based industries including
agriculture, energy, forestry, fisheries, recreation, and mining continue to
drive an important sector of the economy. Collectively they generated
$16 billion in revenue for the state in 2003 (the most recent data
available), and provided some 165,500 jobs statewide. With its rolling
hills and mountains, forests, streams, lakes, natural harbors, and
beautiful coastline-natural assets, Maryland offers a fabulous
recreational environment closely linked to direct tourism expenditures and
ancillary business revenues. That’s why the state has worked so hard to
preserve and protect its natural resources—to ensure that they continue
to be enjoyed by future generations.

Maryland's Resource-Based Industry group works to:

• Support business development around value-added production and
vertical integration in processing our natural resources.
• Retain successful related business enterprises already in the state
and attract additional new employers.
• Enable successful export of Maryland resource-based products.
• Identify linkages between resource suppliers and buyers.
Maryland 's Resource-Based Industries

Agriculture
The farming sector and its related industries accounted for about $5
billion (3%) of the Maryland GSP in 1999, and employed 62,700
people. Subsectors include poultry, greenhouse, nursery, grain, dairy,
equine, livestock produce, organic, viticulture, and tobacco, as well as
production and processing, farm services, and agri-tourism. These
collectively generated over $1.7 billion in cash receipts in 2005.
Standards for seed produced in Maryland result in quality crops with high
yield for customers around the world. Growers across the state export
livestock and genetics renown for quality by breeders.
Maryland is positioned to be a world leader in food safety through an
initiative announced in 2005 and designed to improve the quality of food
entering the United States. The JohnsonDiversey International Food
Safety Initiative utilizes the resources of the Joint Institute for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), a cooperative venture between the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the University of Maryland.
This program will extend the network of food- based enterprise within
Maryland, augment established businesses in the sector,
and influence food safety globally.

Energy
The state is actively encouraging the development of bio-fuels and
alternative power production, especially as new processes are identified
through the application of research findings and emerging technology.
Grains, wood and fiber grown in the state can provide renewable feed
stocks. Wind, solar and hydrogen-based energy production are all being
advanced in Maryland.

Forestry
The forestry and wood products industry in Maryland has a direct output
of approximately $2.2 billion and is associated with 13,800 jobs. Timber
production , sawmilling, and paper manufacture underpin the backbone of
the industry in rural areas. The bulk of the wood industry is concentrated
in urban areas with hundreds of small secondary wood manufacturers
producing finished products such as cabinets, flooring, furniture and
pallets. Demand for Maryland's exceptionally high quality wood products
is expanding in the global and domestic marketplace, representing many
opportunities for both the primary and secondary manufacturers, brokers,
wholesalers, shippers, and traders.

Aquaculture and Fisheries

The Chesapeake Bay blue crab is renowned worldwide, and crab harvests
along with those of oyster, finfish, and clam—as well as their associated
product processing activity—comprise Maryland 's fishing industry.
Commercial fisheries in Maryland in 2004 had a direct dockside value of
$49.5 million—and a market value estimated at more than $80 million.
Aquaculture and emerging marine biotechnology enterprises are taking
hold in Maryland as well, and the state is actively helping entrepreneurs
in these fields connect with resources in the research and development
community to advance their business goals.
 Maritime & Recreation
Maryland is home to a wide variety of maritime companies and training
facilities. Between the thousands of miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline
and important maritime engineering education centers like the U.S. Naval
Academy, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (also
known as the Lundberg School of Seamanship), Chesapeake Marine
Trades School, Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School, and the Maritime
Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies offers a wealth of resources
to tap for all areas of maritime commerce.
Recreational boating, fishing, and hunting generate more than $2.3 billion
annually for the state economy and provide thousands of full-time jobs to
citizens. Visitors from around the world are drawn to enjoy fresh and
saltwater fishing as well as hunting for waterfowl and wildlife in season—
all also offering associated business development opportunities.

Mining
45 to 55 million tons of coal are mined annually in Maryland , with a
market value of $350 million to $450 million. Tons of aggregates,
including sand and gravel, are mined in the state allowing the
construction and paving industries to thrive. Conveniently located rail and
water borne transport infrastructure in the state provides options for
these natural resource commodities to be moved rapidly and more easily
to where they are needed.

http://www.guidetobceconomy.org/major_industries/resource_based.htm