Now and then, it’s a good thing to check in on other regions and their efforts to build a creative economy and attract the creative class of entrepreneurs/employees that are required for it to thrive. Here are a few groups around the country (and world). What can we learn from their successes and failures?

createwv.typepad.com

• Innovation Philadelphia
• Creative Alliance – Baltimore (Arts-centric)
• Midcoast Magnet – Maine
• EngenuitySC – Columbia, South Carolina region
• Creative Scotland
• Creative Economy – Australia
• China Daily – not a group, but a fascintating news article outlining China’s approach

Most groups seem to tilt towards art or technology, but rarely both (with the exception of Innovation Philadelphia, which seems to “get it” the most that these things go together). Very few mention the critical role of 21st-century education and the innovation we desperately need in our school systems to prepare kids to be lifelong, creative thinkers/workers vs. “trained” employees.

In most cases, the broad pillars that support the creative economy are shared goals by several West Virginia groups. For example, Generation West Virginia seeks to attract and retain more young professionals. The Young Entrepreneurs Support Network seeks to connect budding business start-up owners. A few groups are focusing on strengthening the technology (TBED) and arts/cultural industries. Two groups are merging to focus more effort on community development. Most are associated in some form with Vision Shared funded by the Benedum Foundation.

One thing seems certain: West Virginia needs to carve out a creative niche in order to compete with the myriad of other regions seeking to build this aspect of their economy. It’s critical that all of our West Virginia-based groups collaborate closesly for maximum impact. The good news is, in the creative economy, it’s not a zero sum game. The more ideas, the more entrepreneurship, the more wealth that can be created and hopefully enjoyed by numerous regions.