Creative Tacoma

Check out what they’re doing in Tacoma, another city where community catalysts are testing Richard Florida’s economic theory that the Creative Class is the driving force of economic prosperity: www.creativetacoma.com 

Here are their initiatives:

Connected Individuality: Working with area businesses and organizations to expand diversity and business internship and mentoring opportunities for people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Project Eden: Working with community members and organizations in the Hilltop district expand the ethnic dining corridor on Martin Luther King Way.

Green Tacoma: Working with area manufacturers, builders, and businesses to create a “Green Alliance” based on green design and sound ecological standards

Arts Technology Ecosystem: Working with area arts organizations to build awareness of Tacoma-Pierce County’s vibrant art community and to create an arts incubator where current and emerging artists can work, learn and live.

Love Tacoma: Working with other community and arts organizations to host popular cultural events for current and prospective Tacoma-Pierce County residents 

Arts on Gaines is moving forward

Check out this My View written by Peggy Brady of the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA).

It’s exciting to see projects like Arts of Gaines becoming a reality. For those who are interested, head to Chez Pierre on Tuesday, June 26 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. to meet representatives of COCA and Artspace and learn more about plans for the Gaines Street corridor.

Artspace will also be launching a housing and market survey to determine the best use of space for an arts incubator downtown and discover what types of businesses might be interested in locating there. According to Peggy Brady, anyone who would consider using the creative center or living in the area, as well as local businesses that know the value of locating near an active arts and cultural district, should participate in the survey.

Learning from those who’ve been there

A group of Tallahassee residents recently traveled to Chattanooga, Tenn. to learn about how the city revitalized its downtown over a span of two decades. Click here for the full article.

Tallahassee has been trying to jump start its downtown for more than 20 years, and it seems like we’re finally inching forward. There’s been a lot of criticism in the paper about us trying to emulate what Chattanooga has done, but isn’t that the point? How do we learn the right way to do things if we don’t learn from the paths others have taken?

There’s a lot going on with downtown and Gaines Street - from Artspace and COCA to our own Get Gaines Going and Greenovation teams. If we could just reach that point where the optimism outweighs the cynicism, we’d be well on our way to success.

David Miller Speaks at Chamber Conference

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce has just announced that David Miller, CEO of Creative Class Strategies, the group of next-generation thinkers led by Richard Florida, will speak at its Annual Chamber Community Conference Access banquet, presented by the Knight Foundation and sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend on Friday, July 20. Access Tallahassee, the Chamber’s program for young professionals ages 21-40, will have a simultaneous track with the Chamber’s regular Conference activities.

During the banquet Miller will discuss the rise of the Creative Class, developmental strategies for young professionals and the Tallahassee KCCI initiative. He will also be on hand for the Saturday breakout session highlighting the Tallahassee KCCI projects and their progress and impact on our community.

David Miller was one of several Creative Class strategists that came to Tallahassee in March to help conduct the two-day 4T’s Seminar for the 32 selected community catalysts.

The Chamber’s Conference will be held July 20 – 22, 2007 at Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The Access banquet is open to non-Access members for only $40 per person. For more information on the Chamber Conference visit the Chamber’s Web site at www.talchamber.com.

Tallahassee a Top City for Business Relocation

Tallahassee has been named one of the top cities in the nation for business relocation by a national trade magazine for businesses actively considering expansion or relocation. Expansion Managementmagazine recently released its ninth annual “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” list of best areas for companies to relocate. Out of the nation’s 362 metro areas, Tallahassee was among five Florida cities making the list. Others include Jacksonville, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa Bay.

Key to this recognition are several process improvements initiated by the City of Tallahassee to help make the community more attractive for businesses. “We have made significant strides to make Tallahassee a top business destination,” said Michael Parker, director of economic development. “We’ve developed relationships and instituted substantial changes to make the business environment easier and more beneficial for companies to successfully operate here.”

If you’re interested in helping Tallahassee continue to improve its business environment, consider joining the Jump Start Plan X team, which is attempting to make Tallahassee the most small-business friendly region east of the Mississippi! E-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com for more info.

Initiative Team Updates

On June 7, 2007, KCCI community catalysts and volunteers met at the Residence Inn on Gaines Street to discuss progress made by each initiative team. To learn about exciting developments, check out each initiative page.

Get Gaines Going

Greenovation

Jump Start Plan X

Tallahassee Film Festival

By the way, we’re still searching for volunteers for each initiative team. The communications team also welcomes volunteers to assist with grassroots efforts, graphic design, event planning and other tasks. If you’re interested in becoming a community catalyst and serving on one of our teams, please e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com.

Tallahassee Film Festival Update by Jeanne Curtin

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the first annual Tallahassee Film Festival that will take place May 15th – May 17th, 2008!  There are currently four subcommittees  – Sponsorships and Budget, Marketing and Publications, Programming/Venue/Technical Requirements, and Special Events - and each is accepting additional volunteers.  If you are interested in being a part of a fun, hip, cool event, then please contact us at kccitallahassee@gmail.com!