Rick Remish of Imagine West Virginia pointed out this powerful reference on the influence of the creative class on communities that have thrived despite the global economic downturn:
.....numbers guru, Kevin Stolarick, evaluated U.S. cities for their growth potential, he looked not just at the overall number of jobs, but also at the quality of those positions and the ability of cities to hold on to them when the economy softens. Says Stolarick, who is research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity: "Although downturns are felt by everyone, our research has shown that the impact is less severe for those in the creative class -- people who are paid to think."
This article referencing the Kiplinger report on Yahoo Real Estate highlights the percentage of creative class workers and influence in the "Best Cities" list for 2009.
Whether pre-crash or post-crash, it's clear that "new economy" jobs that focus on the creation of new intellectual property - knowledge, patents, media, arts, technology, etc. - are still a powerful driver for protecting and growing economic health. As our legislature is back in session, we must remember to remind our leaders of this fact and encourage them to move more aggressively across areas that influence creative class and new economy growth - education, diversity, "place", technology and entrepreneurship.
Our people enthusiastically support moving in this direction, so let's get moving!
Says Stolarick, who is
Says Stolarick, who is research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity: "Although downturns are felt by everyone, our research has shown that the impact is less severe for those in the creative class -- people who are paid to think."
boediger
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