Creative Economy

Elkin builds on the local craft economy by investing in an artisan craft guild and an apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program provides craft training and mentorship, as well as small business skills to artisan entrepreneurs.

This small town bridges a thriving local arts scene with economic development to restore its cultural identity and enlarge the tax base.

Colquitt uses the arts as a tool for community empowerment and economic diversification. The success of a community-based performing arts project has resulted in extensive downtown revitalization and economic development.

Civic leaders in this historic coal mining community subsidized downtown storefront rent for artist-retailers. Over a period of five years, artists cleaned up downtown storefronts and brought the town’s downtown square back into economic productivity.

This town invests in the creative energy of rural artists. Through a regional cultural center, New York Mills attracts outside talent and energy into their town, bringing fresh perspective on the community’s challenges and opportunities.

This small town is capitalizing on the economic value of arts-based small businesses. Through a unique partnership with a regional community college, Siler City is nurturing the creativity and entrepreneurship of local artists.

In the wake of shuttered textile mills and climbing unemployment, Star joined with a regional non-profit partner to develop a business incubator, located in a former mill building, which provides space and training to local artisans.