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Welcome to the Creative Economy Forum of North Louisiana Richard Florida’s research focused national attention on the importance of attracting and retaining highly skilled individuals that work in creative occupations. Research from the United States Department of agriculture indicates that creative talent is vital for stimulating growth in small-metro and non-metropolitan areas. And Economic analysis shows that rural areas with creative populations experience job growth that is typically twice the rate of areas with a less creative culture.  This forum is part of a larger and broader strategy for catalyzing the creative enterprise in north Louisiana. We kicked off our Creative Economy Forum with an event held at Louisiana Tech University on June 13, 2007.

That event included special guest David A. McGranahan, of the USDA Economic Research Service, who presented his report on "Rural Growth as Creative Enterprise."  The presentation focused on the concept of attracting and retaining people that work in highly creative occupations as a viable strategy for generating jobs and stimulating growth in rural communities.  This presentation was preceded and followed by interactive community forums attended by energetic members of and supporters of the creative economy from across north Louisiana.


Creative Enterprise Strategy Overview 

Members of creative enterprises includes scientists and engineers, university professors, poets and novelists, artists, entertainers, actors, designers, and architects, as well as  writers, editors, researchers, and analysts. Also important are "creative professionals" who work in various knowledge-intensive industries such as information technology, financial services, the legal and healthcare professions, and business management. Florida notes in his book that “the key to economic growth lies not just in the ability to attract the creative class, but to translate that underlying advantage into creative economic outcomes in the form of new ideas, new high-tech businesses and regional growth.” 

The creative class lives in urban settings as well as in rural areas with lakes, mountains, or other rural amenities. Non-metro counties with higher proportions of people in creative class occupations tended to have higher rates of patent formation and manufacturing technology adoption and higher rates of job growth. The creative-class thesis—that towns need to attract engineers, architects, artists, and people in other creative occupations to compete in today’s economy—may be particularly relevant to rural communities, which tend to lose much of their talent when young adults leave for college, the Armed Forces, or “city lights.” 

Relevance to north Louisiana

USDA research shows that rural areas high in natural amenities can be successful in attracting creative talent. This is relevant for north Louisiana’s rural and small-metro areas. Excitement has been building in recent months around the activities growing out of Louisiana Tech and other universities in north Louisiana that are creating and attracting new hi-tech business ventures. Our region needs to get ready to accommodate these creative enterprises and the people that drive them. Creative people and enterprises are already significant components of our regional economy and quality of life. They transcend typical industry sectors to include technology and the arts, professional and scientific services, research, and more. Further development of the creative enterprise in our region requires doing things to attract and retain creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial people as well as nurturing and supporting those we already have. 

Louisiana Tech University is ranked 10^th in the nation in the commercialization of micro and nano-technologies. So our region is not only attracting creative and innovative people, we are turning these innovations into businesses that will drive our economy. We have three four-year state universities, a community college and a technical college all in close proximity. Each of these institutions has areas of strength that can contribute to a creative economy. 

We develop strategies and make investments designed to attract people rather than industries or specific businesses. Of critical importance are investments in education, healthcare, and the lifestyle amenities that people really want and use often. And with limited resources we will often have to choose between these investments and spending money on financial inducements for industry. Also crucial is the cultural atmosphere. Openness, diversity, and tolerance are typically important characteristics for the creative class. 


Discussion Questions from the First Forum: 

What makes our region attractive for creative enterprise and people? 

How are creative people and organizations similar across technology, the arts, research, and professional services? 

How can we build on the existing assets we have in north Louisiana to enhance our attractiveness to creative enterprises and the creative people that drive them? How? 

How can we create stronger connections between creative enterprises and people in our region? What are the institutions or organizations that can do that?