Category: Articles
-
It Won’t be for Lack of Promotion
createwv.typepad.com createwv.typepad.com If you happen to be traveling via Yeager Airport in Charleston from August through October, check out the Create WV Conference banner hanging from the parking garage. Hey, we want everyone to know about this exciting 2nd Annual Create WV Conference! Reminder that early bird rate of $229 expires August 31, so make…
-
Does Diversity Really Matter That Much?
createwv.typepad.com One of the major pillars of the creative community (i.e., “creative class”) initiative around the world is valuing diversity in all its forms. There have been many efforts to define the business case for diversity for companies. After visiting Multifest in Charleston this past weekend, we wondered: do these arguments for diversity translate to…
-
Is the Future Bright for Small Towns?
Although the vast majority of Americans live in urban areas (83.5%), would they change their geographic location to a smaller community if given the opportunity? Several indicators point to a strong affinity for smaller communities. From a recent BizJournals article: Unfortunately, few act on these desires for simpler, more sustainable living arrangements. Forces beyond their…
-
Fighting Hate, Building Inclusiveness in Charleston
In addition to creative cultural, entrepreneurial and technical initiatives going on in our capitol city, we are excited about an emphasis being placed on building a community that values diversity and commits to inclusion. Two upcoming events are cause for hope after the difficult (and embarrassing) events around the Megan Williams incident. First, Communities United…
-
Charleston Sparking Creative Class Growth
Have you visited the East End of Charleston, WV lately? If not, you should head in that direction and take your laptop with you. Enjoy the nice outdoor seating at Delish Express or view the artwork at Bluegrass Kitchen (http://www.eastendmainstreet.com/pages/restaurants.htm), while emailing your monthly report to co-workers or researching on the internet and enjoying a…
-
Coal-to-Liquid, Greenhouse Gases…Discuss
Yesterday, many were celebrating the announcement of plans for a new coal-to-liquid plant to be built by CONSOL Energy in Marshall County. Ironically, on the same day, the West Virginia Environmental Council told the WV State Legislature that coal-to-gas conversion is an inefficient way to produce fuel, requiring 2 million BTUs of energy to produce…
-
Should State Governments Invest in Start-Ups?
How do small states or states not traditionally strong in vibrant high-tech industry sectors catch up? In some cases, they focus the resources of the state to provide an investment spark. Is this a good idea? West Virginia entered into an experiment in venture capital investment a few years ago by divvying up $25 million…
-
Growing From Within
Many folks have highlighted West Virginia’s historic reliance on two forces for “economic development”: 1) outside companies willing to locate facilities here, and 2) state government. Seeking the first leads to an intense focus on comparing our relative competitiveness on tax structure and incentives, seeking the second leads to an intense focus on central planning…
-
Disrupting Class = Chapter 5
The System For Student-Centric Learning This is a complicated chapter to read and understand. Education, like a private business, is a “commercial system”. “A commercial system is the context within which a firm establishes its cost structure and operating processes and works with suppliers and channel partners to respond profitably to customers common needs. The…
-
Create Huntington Web Site Live
The folks in Huntington have really been an inspiration to watch during the past year. Numerous volunteers have rallied around over 20 specific projects to re-create Huntington for a prosperous future. From Mayor Felinton, to Dr. Stephen Kopp at Marshall, to volunteer leaders such as Phoebe Patton Randolph and Anne Durham (among many others!), the…