Tag: Education
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Measuring Return on New Economy Investment
The recent proposal by Governor Manchin to essentially mimic Kentucky’s “Bucks for Brains” program on a smaller scale is an encouraging sign that our state is ready to think beyond traditional economic development boundaries. While it would be great if West Virginia were someday on the leading edge of creative initiatives like Bucks for Brains,…
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Things are Looking Up in Upshur County
Buckhannon just seems like one of those All-American towns. One of the rare West Virginia towns built on a fairly large swath of flat land in Central WV, Buckhannon is home to the famous Strawberry Festival and West Virginia Wesleyan College. Like most small towns, the downtown started to empty and deteriorate years ago. But…
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What are Other Regions Doing?
There is no doubt that a shift in economic development strategy from “smokestack chasing” to “nurturing an entrepreneurial garden” is occurring around the country. While we don’t necessarily like the term “smokestack chasing” because it’s misleading as to what the hard-working folks in economic development offices do (who isn’t excited about Hino Motors and other…
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New State Slogan: Open for Immigrants?
Since “Open for Business” has run its course on our welcome signs, perhaps it’s time to discuss who we’re open for as much as what we’re open for. In the New Economy, any discussion has to begin with the global competition for talent. And by global, we do mean global. It’s a simple equation: The…
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Raising Our Expectations for Education
Where does West Virginia stand in the race to prepare students with 21st century skills? And what the heck are 21st century skills anyway? We tackle these questions and more in the exciting and informative Education track at the Create WV conference Nov 12-14. We encourage you to forward this track agenda to any K12…
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Welcome Future Scientists
A lot of people aren’t aware that the National Youth Sciences Foundation is located here in West Virginia, and this week is their annual camp. Budding scientists from high schools around around the country (and world) are here in West Virginia this week to learn from successful scientists and connect with their peers at their…
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How to Connect Our Communities
The technology track of the Create WV Conference offers sessions on using technology to attract and develop creative workers in your community. Many creative workers can live and work anywhere with reliable, modern broadband Internet access – the critical new “utility” for the 21st century. Wireless access makes it easier to work in public places…
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Arts, Tourism…and New Citizens?
Arts and tourism gurus have been doing a good job calculating the economic impact of things like last weekend’s FestivALL in Charleston. The Gazz did a nice write up of the impact of the third year of the festival. Other festivals such as Culturefest Music & Arts Festival and the Appalachian String Band Festival bring…
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Create WV Sponsors Support Innovation
A groundswell of support from business, academic and non-profit organizations is helping us develop the Create WV Conference into a valuable resource for West Virginia communities. We would like to thank the following organizations for their support in building a creative, dynamic West Virginia for the 21st Century and encourage you to interact with them…
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Kentucky Finding its New Economy Groove
I was never sure which family in the Hatfield-McCoy feud was on the West Virginia side and which one was on the Kentucky side. Maybe they were all just sprinkled around the whole area. In any case, it made for an interesting competition. Perhaps it’s time to rekindle some competition with Kentucky, only this time…