Create West Virginia

After four years of grass roots creative community building, it's time to take it to the next level West Virginia!

Here's a brief presentation on how we'll do that together. What do you think?

This is the third year we've attempted to help West Virginia adopt a modern, entrepreneurial approach to economic development by emphasizing the growth of our "new" economy based on innovation.

(NOTE: Apologies for the poor formatting on this post, our blog site is having some issues)

According to the Kauffman Foundation and other leading experts, a healthy job market is highly correlated with a high level of entrepreneurship in a region. In fact, most net new jobs are created by start-up companies, not larger employers.

One of the most prescient ideas I have ever heard about West Virginia came from Don Rigby at RED a few years ago.  To paraphrase: West Virginia's biggest identity issue was not a negative one held by outsiders, but rather that to many people across the US and world, there is none at all. 

Do you have an idea for a business or new project on which you would like feedback or help?

There will be an organizational meeting for the West Virginia Made Association on Friday evening, Sept 10, 2010 at Lakeview Resort, Morgantown from 6:30-7:30 following the first day of the WV Made Trade Show. All interested persons are invited to attend. (Lakeview Resort is located a few miles east of Morgantown off Exit 10, I-79)

Make no small plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical plan once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our children are going to do things that will stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon, beauty.

Think big.

- Daniel Burnham, 19th Century Architect who planned the Chicago World’s Fair

According to the Kauffman Foundation and other economic think tanks, building a powerful entrepreneurial engine is the only real way to build sustainable long-term job growth. And in this economy, who doesn't want that? 

Many folks have been to a lot of conferences...and well, we aren't always eager to go to another one! Sitting in boring seminars, eating bad food, listening to panel speakers without much to say...who needs more of that?