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Creative Region Initiative
THANK YOU to our Creative Sponsors
History
In January 2007, SOCHE convened a Creative Class Task Force representing organizations from a cross section of industries in our community. The task force has continued to meet regularly and includes the following organizations: Caresource, City of Dayton, Culture Works, Dayton Development Coalition, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Dayton Power and Light, Five Rivers MetroParks, Full Circle Development, Initial Point, Kids Voting, Lexis Nexis, Miami Valley Research Park Foundation, Montgomery County Economic Development, Qbase, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, Victoria Theatre Association, WYSO, The Westcott House, Wright State University, and the YMCA.
From the beginning, the task force was charged with:
- Build momentum leading up to the visit by Richard Florida on March 1, 2007 (part of the Wright State University Presidential Lecture Series in partnership with SOCHE). RESULT: Over 400 people attended from across the region, leaving informed and inspired by the lecture.
- Make a recommendation that would perpetuate a discussion beyond the visit, consequently resulting in actions for attracting, retaining, expanding a Creative Class in our region. RESULT: Task force recommended working with the Creative Class Group on a yearlong process that empowers the community, giving emerging leaders the tools to generate economic prosperity, build community vibrancy, and improve quality of life.
CREATIVE REGION INITIATIVE
The Creative Region Initiative is a solution oriented project to create a region that provides the best place for people of all ages to enjoy life, work, and community.
Creative Class Group. Richard Florida is one of the world’s leading public intellectuals on economic competitiveness, demographic trends, and cultural and technological innovation. He is founder of the Creative Class Group (CCG), a global think tank that develops pioneering strategies for business, government and community competitiveness. CCG provides a structured framework that engages community participants in developing solutions. Participants work with a team of facilitators equipped with the most current regional economic and demographic data, knowledge of cutting-edge community-building practices and the only national support network of catalysts and experts.
Outcome. The outcome of this work will set the foundation for building and sustaining region-wide initiatives around the Creative Class (i.e. scientists, engineers, managers, designers, computer scientists, innovators, as well as non-profit leaders, teachers, artists, writers, musicians, and college students). The deliverables includes: 1) research on our region in the cores areas of Technology, Talent, Tolerance; 2) development and training of 30 community catalysts that create 3-6 regional initiatives; and 3) overall value this initiative brings:
- Economic development that focuses on talent, technology, tolerance, and quality of life
- Projects that engage young people to participate in the retention of college graduates
- Economic analysis that provides new insight into our economic situation and opportunities
- An opportunity to gain national exposure by partnering with a world-class economic thinker
Cost. The total cost of the project is $175,000, which includes the direct expenses of the CCG and hiring a part-time Project Manger so the community participants can remain focused and creative.
To date, we have raised $134,000 thanks to our Creative Sponsors. We are currently researching other funding opportunities. We plan to announce publicly in the New Year that our region will be working with the Creative Class Group on this initiative, joining a collective network of cities engaged in similar efforts worldwide.
If you would like to stay in the loop about the Creative Region Initiative, please send a request to SOCHE requesting to be added to the Creative Class listserv.
News and Discussion Groups
Creative Region Initiative Press Release
Dayton Business Journal Article
Dayton Daily News Op-Ed
Dayton Daily News Article One
Dayton Daily News Article Two
Dayton Daily News Article Three
Dayton Most Metro Blog
Daytonology Blog
WYSO Interviews with Richard Florida and Sean Creighton
WYSO Broadcast of Richard Florida lecture at Wright State University
Resources
Creative Class Group
The Creative Compact: An Economic and Social Change Agenda for the Creative Age
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