In April three organizations are showcased: the North County Transit District, the Transit Alliance for a Better North County, and the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau. At a press conference Monday to announce the featured cluster, all three organizations displayed future plans for a more integrated public transit system in North County and how better transportation systems can improve the economy. Bus, rail and air transportation were all discussed.

"Every minute you spend on the freeway is a minute you lose in work or in lifestyle," said Gary Knight, CEO of the council.

The stress on improved means of transportation coincides with the San Diego Association of Governments' Regional Comprehensive Plan, which calls for a Smart Growth Concept Map, currently being presented in workshops across San Diego County. The map identifies locations that can support smart growth and transportation investments.

An integrated transportation system is beneficial to the business community by bringing employees closer to their workplace and creating a local economy, where employees spend their earnings in the community, according to Knight.

Future plans for transportation in North County include the Sprinter, a 15-mile railway from Oceanside to Escondido, with 18 stops on the route. It is expected to start running in late 2007 or early 2008.

"The purpose of all this is to continue to convince businesses to put more incentives on the table to convince employees (to take public transit)," said Ted Owen, president of the Transit Alliance for a Better North County. Owen said Palomar Airport received $45 million in the last year-and-a-half to build a north ramp to accommodate single engine airplanes.

A San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau representative discussed the effects of a better transit system on North County's tourism industry. President/CEO of the Bureau, Cami Mattson, believes tourists will indirectly benefit from public transit improvements like the Sprinter, as they will reduce the number of commuters on the freeway. However, she does not believe the Sprinter will serve North County visitors.

"One of the biggest deterrents for visitors is congestion," she said, adding, "I don't see them using (public transit) themselves."

The 2006 North County Economic Outlook, released in February, specified 12 clusters: transportation, health care, tourism, banking and finance, education, high-tech, biotech, agriculture, manufacturing, marketing communications, defense and action sports.

Two businesses were represented for last month's high-tech cluster. Chatter Inc., a text messaging provider, and Cooler E-mail, an e-mail communications company. The council has not yet decided on next month's featured cluster.