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:

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:

ArtWorks!
This project aims at improving regional prosperity through inspiring innovative collaborations between arts and business. Check out the Artworks! website artworkstwinports.org or contact Samantha Gibb Roff at: sgibb@duluthartinstitute.org to get involved. The Artworks! group's big event for 2008, the Artworks! conference, was held on March 13 & 14. Follow this link to get a detailed summary of the event.

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. Check out the Sustainable Twin Ports website at sustainabletwinports.org or 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 - Superior/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

Gregory 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

To find out when and where each initiative team meets, visit:
www.dsacommunityfoundation.com/initiatives/kccigroups

For additional information on the Twin Ports KCCI efforts visit our Blog:
www.kcciduluth.wordpress.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.