About
Knight Creative Communities Initiative
The Knight Creative Communities Initiative is a venture that aims to pull together the ideas and talents of all parts of the community in building a more attractive environment for economic growth. The KCCI was initiated and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and works with the Creative Class Group and 31 citizen Catalysts. The Catalysts were selected for their commitment to and interest in developing initiatives that build upon the research and writings of Dr. Richard Florida, which spotlight human creativity as the primary driver of community vitality. The KCCI combines research, training and community dialogue to develop a community vision and accompanying set of strategies aimed at mobilizing leadership and resources.
Today’s global economy is changing the way economic development is done. In order to compete in the global economy we need to focus on being an area where people are drawn to live. Specifically, the KCCI is focusing around what the Creative Class Group calls the four T’s of a healthy and vibrant community: Technology, Tolerance, Territory, and Talent. According to a growing body of research, in order to draw economic development, an area must have all four T’s. Our area has amazing territorial assets, a small but rapidly growing technology sector and a wealth of talent potential with our existing population and college students. But the research shows that we have challenges in being a more diverse, inclusive and welcoming place.
The creative economy includes persons whose primary contributions to the marketplace are their ideas and intellectual expertise: researchers, artists, educators, doctors, entrepreneurs, information technology specialists, etc. The creative economy is also about transforming all sectors of the economy to better use human creativity that is inherent in everyone.
The Catalysts have created five action teams:
Brain Gain → Talent/Tolerance
Art Works → Talent/Territory Assets
Mix it Up → Tolerance
Sustainable Twin Ports → Technology
Pathways → Territory Assets/Talent
The action teams are in the process of implementing practical and meaningful solutions to enhance our region’s capacity for economic prosperity. The KCCI action teams are convening and catalyzing individuals and organizations to work together to make our region more attractive and competitive in the global economy.
The project was announced in January 2007. Catalysts were chosen in March 2007 after an open application process by a group of Duluth and Superior community leaders. We need everyone to get involved – join, participate and support the KCCI and related efforts. The action teams are:
Art Works
This project aims at improving regional prosperity through inspiring innovative collaborations between arts and business. Please contact Samantha Gibb Roff at: sgibb@duluthartinstitute.org to get involved.
Brain Gain
The up and coming talent within our many area institutions of higher education are a fantastic natural resource that we can no longer afford to lose. This project focuses on creating community connections and opportunities for students to engage beyond the university halls, bringing their talent, vitality, and dollars into the heart of our community. Please contact Pat Donahue at: pdonahue@nrri.umn.edu to get involved.
Mix It Up
The creative economy, as a general rule, grows best in communities that are diverse, inclusive and welcoming. This is due, in large part, to the fact that the creative economy thrives on diverse ideas and people. This project aims to demonstrate the bottom line of diversity both in the workplace, and the broader community so that our area can be better positioned to capture and retain this innovative resource and improve the livability of our community for all residents. Please contact Henry Banks at: cjmmc_2000@yahoo.com to get involved.
Pathways
This project will capitalize on the many unique urban and natural territorial assets of our area by creating greater connectivity and accessibility to these places via non-motorized transportation routes. Developing, connecting and promoting non-motorized transportation routes will contribute to the overall health of our community, make it a more attractive place for creative economy workers, and set a precedent for alternative transportation modes. Please contact Pat Heffernan at: pheffernan@wheelera.com to get involved.
Sustainable Twin Ports
Sustainable Twin Ports is partnering with Sustainable Duluth in “The Twin Ports Early Adopters of Sustainability Project.” The Natural Step framework will be used to position the Twin Ports as a leader in the ongoing sustainability revolution. The project will identify ten to fifteen “Early Adopter” organizations that are recognized community leaders, have an interest in sustainability, and collectively represent the breadth of the community. Participants will develop, through focused educational and applied “homework” activities, a shared understanding of sustainability and develop and implement specific sustainability action plans. These community stakeholders will create local success stories and disseminate the lessons, knowledge and energy they have gained throughout the community. Please contact Kathy Bartsias at: Kathy.Bartsias@duluth.k12.mn.us to get involved.
The Twin Ports KCCI Catalysts
Tara Alfonsi - H.T. Klatzky & Associates
Gary Banker - Superior Public Schools
Henry Banks - Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc.
Kathy Bartsias - Duluth Public Schools
Chani Becker - Carlson Media
Robert Browne - Douglas County Board of Supervisors
Drew Digby - UMD
Patrick Donahue - Natural Resources Research Institute
Kat Eldred - KBA Management – A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation
John Foucault - Points North Consulting
Brian Graff - SMDC
Greg Grell - WDSE-TV
Debra Hannu - Duluth Public Schools
Gary Hedin - Downtown Dental Care of Duluth
Patrick Heffernan - Wheeler Associates
John Heino - Como Oil & Propane
Jerry Hembd - UWS-Extension
Lisa Heyesen - Area Partnership for Economic Expansion
Keir Johnson - A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation
Pamela Kramer - Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Linda Krug - UMD
Kris Larson - Minnesota Land Trust
Mary Mathews - Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
Crystal Pelkey - New Moon Publishing
Heather Rand - MN Department of Employment & Economic Development
Samantha Gibb Roff - Duluth Art Institute
Matthew Schoeppner - MN Department of Employment & Economic Development
Cheryl Skafte - United Way of Greater Duluth
Jennifer Smith - Eikill & Schilling
Phoebe Smith-Ellis - American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO)
Jennifer Wiczek-Bertsch - Moxie
For additional information on the Twin Ports KCCI efforts visit: Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.
To learn more about Richard Florida and his work, visit:
www.creativeclass.org
Questions? Call 218.726.0232 or e-mail: initiatives@dsacommunityfoundation.com.
The Knight Creative Communities Initiative was initiated and funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and works with the Creative Class Group and 31 citizen Catalysts.
