Category: Articles
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Attracting Talent to WV
One of the challenges we face here in West Virginia is adding talent to our workforces. The main source of this problem is that many of our youth leave WV for work or opportunities elsewhere. I personally had made up my mind to leave the state as soon as I was old enough, although I…
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Concord University Takes Steps Supporting Innovation
One of our biggest opportunities in West Virginia to spread creativity and innovation is through our colleges and universities. It’s not an accident that most highly-rated “creative class” cities in the small-to-mid size population category are college towns. College towns attract the critical student and faculty talent required to generate innovation. For many of our…
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The Creative Cat is Out of the Bag
What a great audience at the Clay Center yesterday for the launch of Create West Virginia. After some frustrating technical difficulties (#&*$#*@ computer!) slowed down our beginning, the guest Creative Community speakers piped in from around the state via video conference demonstrated the growing power of these innovative entrepreneurs, artists and local leaders. I knew…
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Does WV Traditional Culture Appeal to New Economy Creatives?
Here at Glenville’s WV State Folk Festival – “The Oldest Festival of its Kind in the U.S.” – I can’t help but wonder about the appeal of traditional West Virginia arts, crafts and music to the stereotypical young New Economy type. Would your typical dot-com startup entrepreneur or research scientist enjoy watching the square dancers,…
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The Creative Community – What is it?
While many people have heard the term “creative class” thanks to the writings and research of Richard Florida, there are many who haven’t heard this term, and there are many who are confused by it. Personally, I like “creative community” better because it communicates more of what we’re trying to foster. “Class” has too many…