Over the years, Richard Florida of the "Creative Class" fame and I have had the opportunity to talk and share notes on what it takes to make an entrepreneurial community. When he was in town 5 years ago at the Emerging Issues Forum, he joined a group of CED entrepreneurs who were -- to say the least -- skeptical about how they would integrate "creative class" friendly maxims into their companies while they were focused on building competitive companies in a tough economic cycle.
One person who got it big-time was Anne Goodnight, who was at that time the Chairman of the NC Museum of Art's Board. I had heard her vision for what the museum could (and has) become -- an open and inviting cultural institution for the geeks and young families who were building careers and lives.
Now Richard has presented new research -- The Flight of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent -- which resonates with us. His three Ts that draw people to a city: Technology, Talent, and Tolerance are strengths here. With talented people choosing what are essentially "good places to live," rather than just "where the work is" the Triangle is favorably positioned.
I recently sent Richard a link to "It's Carrboro" -- the "rap" video created by Billy Sugarfix, Brian Risk and other true believers -- explaining to him that Carrboro is Cary's "evil twin." He was -- to put it mildly -- awestruck. "In a word it is amazing. It is exactly the message our communities need to send, not to just to each other but to the world."
It's become our favorite at CED and at the Doss House. Whenever we need to get our Mojo working, this cures what ails us Watch the Its Carrboro Video. Enjoy!