10/1/2008 - Task Force to Release Creative Economy Report Tomorrow


10/1/2008 - NEWS ADVISORY
City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2008

Task Force to Release Creative Economy Report Tomorrow
City outlines strategies and goals for building its creative economy

What: The Creative Economy Steering Committee will release its Creative Economy Report tomorrow. Portland has long been identified as a community that is attractive to creative enterprises such as architectural firms, marketing firms, specialty products designers and manufactures, engineers and graphic designers, with nearly $30 million generated annually by arts and cultural organizations in the city.

Following a Creative Economy Summit convened in 2006 by then-Mayor James Cohen, the City Council created the Creative Economy Steering Committee to develop a plan to sustain and grow this vital sector of the economy in order to enhance Portland’s quality of life and innovation economy. The Steering Committee was comprised of 17 individuals from a diverse cross section of artists, cultural organizations, university leaders, and Portland business people. The Committee met for 18 months to develop its recommendations which will be presented to the City Council Monday, October 6 at 5:00 PM.

The Creative Economy Report identifies a number of strategies the city should employ to help build this vital economic sector. First, it recommends that the city create the Creative Portland Corporation (CPC), a public-private partnership charged with strengthening Portland's Creative economy and attracting new businesses and entrepreneurs to locate here. The Corporation would be funded through a combination of private donations and an annual city contribution funded by a Creative Economy TIF district. The Corporation would be responsible for marketing and developing creative economy businesses in Portland, administering a loan fund to foster small business growth in the innovation sector, promote year round vitality by helping to develop new cultural events, explore the creation of a Center for the Arts, and further develop the Arts District.

Who: Chairs City Councilor Jim Cohen and Councilor Dave Marshall will be joined by members of the Steering Committee including Anita Stewart of the Portland Stage Company, Douglas Green of Green Furniture Designs, Joseph Wood of the University of Southern Maine, Marc Shepard of the Portland Phoenix and Gillian Britt of GBritt PR to release the report.

“This report is a great roadmap for decision-makers, businesses, and residents on how to work together to build the city’s creative economy,” stated Co-Chair Cohen. “Portland’s quality of life is ideal for attracting creative enterprises that will blend in with our existing community.”

"The Creative Economy Steering Committee recommendations are focused on economic development," stated Co-Chair Marshall. "These forward thinking policies will strengthen Portland as an arts and cultural destination."

When: Thursday, October 2, 2008
1:00 PM

Where: Portland Stage Company
25 Forest Avenue, Portland

For more information about the Creative Economy Steering Committee or to read the report, visit www.portlandmaine.gov/creativeeconomy.htm.

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