Please join us in Fairmont on 3/16/10! If you'd like to schedule a Create WV Summit in your community, drop us a line at info@createwv.com.
Building Creative Communities for the New Economy
Dear Friends of Marion Regional Development Corporation (MRDC),
On behalf of MRDC, I would like to personally invite you to an important conversation that will kick-off a new era of growth and opportunity in our area.
The “new” economy is that group of industries that generate innovation and intellectual property. It is the core driver of economic growth across the world, and includes such industries as software development, Internet services, scientific research, bio-tech, biometrics, graphic design, engineering, academic services and many other categories who together already make up close to 1/3 of West Virginia’s economy. Even better, jobs in these sectors typically pay up to twice as much than the average West Virginia salary, which fuels more economic growth in the services sector.
Can Marion County generate new, exciting opportunities for all citizens in today's internet-connected, global, innovation-driven environment and thrive in the new economy? The exciting answer is: yes! It’s happening today in Marion County and it can grow even more. Economic growth more often comes from within through creative, innovative entrepreneurs who are attracted to a region’s “quality of place”. A community’s talent, technology, diversity, natural beauty, and arts/cultural offerings have become the most important economic assets to build on for new economy success.
Please join us at the MRDC Create West Virginia Marion County Summit where we will discuss how our community can thrive in the new economy:
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Tuesday March 16th, 2010
1pm - 4:30pm
The Research Center Exhibition Hall
I-79 Technology Park
1000 Galliher Drive
Fairmont, WV
Cost: $20 payable to Marion Regional Development Corporation (MRDC)
RSVP by March 11, 2010 by emailing info@marionrdc.com or call
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Who should attend?
· You
· Local city and county government leaders
· Economic and community development leaders
· Education and training leaders
· Business leaders and entrepreneurs
· Arts, cultural and environmental leaders
· Interested community members
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Jeff James, Chairperson of the Creative Communities team for A Vision Shared (www.createwv.com) and formerly a marketing director from Microsoft Corporation, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. Expert speaker(s) will join Jeff in discussing the tenets of the "new economy".
We’ll answer your questions, provide examples of where exciting community and economic growth have occurred, and discuss next steps to make it a reality here in Marion County. Our agenda will include:
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1:00
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Welcome and Overview – Creative Communities in West Virginia
· What other communities have done to transform themselves and find success in the new economy
· Our new economy assets and weaknesses (and what to do about them)
· How this initiative builds from our current efforts in tourism branding and economic development
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1:30
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Talent – The “Fuel” of the New Economy
· How innovative educational programs and strong public/private partnership with schools can help a community thrive
· How lifelong learning helps transition from “old” economy to new opportunities
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2:15
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Inclusion and Diversity
· The importance of openness to new ideas, new people and new opportunities
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2:45
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Technology
· How to address the broadband connectivity and technology adoption gaps in our community
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3:15
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Quality of Place
· How history, art, culture, entertainment and smart planning combine to position a community for success
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3:45
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Next Steps
· Feedback, Q&A and dialogue on next steps critical for building creative communities in the Mercer County
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Please plan on joining this important kick-off meeting! Register today by emailing info@marionrdc.comwww.createwv.com. For further information about this event visit our website www.dobizinmarion.com. or call 304.333.6732. You can learn more about the Create WV growth initiative by visiting
Sincerely,
Sharon Jones Shaffer
Executive Director
Marion Regional Development Corp
112 Adams Street, Room 201
Fairmont, WV 26554
t: 304-333-MRDC (6732)
www.dobizinmarion.com
director@marionrdc.com
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