Category: Articles
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Does WV Really Want to Attract and Retain Young People?
Here in Pittsburgh, PA, city leaders have been scratching their heads for years over their continued brain drain. With an elite high-tech university (Carnegie Mellon), a very large university (Pitt) and many smaller colleges surrounding the region, there is a strong academic infrastructure. The very founder of the “Creative Class” paradigm, Richard Florida, lived and…
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Creating a Sense of Urgency for Our Economic Future
According to their web site, the Milken Institute “is a publicly supported, nonpartisan, independent think tank whose work makes a difference in the lives of people worldwide by helping create a more democratic and efficient global economy.” They recently published their “2008 State Technology and Science Index” which ranks states on their ability to take…
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Lessons in Creativity…From a Watermelon
Quick – Your a Japanese grocery store with extremely limited shelf space. How do you sell more fresh, higher-margin produce like a round, bulky watermelon? You sell square ones and stack’em up. Most people’s reaction to a request for a square watermelon would be, “That’s ridiculous.” But for those who take ridiculous requests as an…
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States Competing for Creative Dollars
An interesting article from Business XPansion Journal highlights how states are competing with each other with tax credits to draw the lucrative film and media industry to produce within their borders. As more regions wake up to the growth potential, the competition is heating up. “It has taken a while to embrace these industries as…
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Appalachians: One size does not fit all
Charlestonian Rebecca Kimmons wrote the following response to a comment from someone going by the name of “Constitution,” who in turn responded to an article, “Why Appalachia Counts in 2008,” by Newsweek general editor Steve Tuttle in the July 2-14 (Special Summer) issue of Newsweek. http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/01/tuttle-why-applachia-counts-in-2008.aspx “Constitution” wrote on 7/03 that “Obama is the candidate…
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Giving New Economy the Old College Try
One of the most strategic actions West Virginia could take is to develop stronger regional partnerships between the 20+ colleges and universities in the state and their surrounding communities. A healthy four-year institution can be a hub of every pillar of new economy success: diversity, technology, quality of place (cultural and otherwise) and talent/education. Many…
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Kris Lett is the Creative Economy!
Kristopher D. Lett, 35 years old, Charleston, WV createwv.typepad.com New Economy Factor: Mr. Lett was born in South Charleston, and grew up in Putnam and Kanawha Counties. He graduated The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with honors in 1993 with an Associates degree in Photography and Multimedia, after which he moved to Colorado and began work…
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Thinking Green
The demand for knowledgeable green building practitioners has skyrocketed. People desire energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes and buildings. In response to local interest, the Charleston Area Alliance is pleased to present “Thinking Green.” [email protected] [email protected]
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The Next Microsoft…in West Virginia?
Sounds far-fetched, doesn’t it? But more and more, high-tech entrepreneurs are setting up their companies based on lifestyle choices vs. clustering around the expensive Silicon Valley area. Dozens of companies have started in or migrated to places like Boise, Idaho, where the costs are low, the air is clean, and the outdoor amenities are many.…
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Building a New BOG at WVU
The three new Board of Governor appointees for WVU – Ray Lane, Oliver Luck and Charles Vest – certainly seem to add a great deal of international and relevant experiences to the 18 member board. Ray Lane is a well-respected venture capitalist and former President and Chief Operating Officer at Oracle and may lend some…