Knight Creative Communities Initiative

Technology, Tolerance, Territory, and Talent. These four T’s are the base for building a more attractive environment for economic growth, according to Dr. Richard Florida and a growing number of other internationally known researchers.

In 2007-2008, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in connection with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation led a process to build on these assets in the Twin Ports.

Called the Knight Creative Communities Initiative, (KCCI) 31 citizen Catalysts were selected in the Twin Ports for their commitment to and interest in developing initiatives that build upon the four T’s. These initiatives would spotlight human creativity as the primary driver of community vitality and build the creative economy. Once chosen, The KCCI catalysts combined research, training and community dialogue to develop a community vision and accompanying set of strategies aimed at mobilizing leadership and resources.

These strategies included five action teams with each one focused on at least one of the four T’s needed for a healthy and vibrant economy. They include:

  • Brain Gain → Talent/Tolerance
  • Art Works → Talent/Territorial Assets
  • Mix it Up → Tolerance
  • Sustainable Twin Ports → Technology
  • Pathways → Territorial Assets/Talent

Interested in learning more?

To learn more about Richard Florida and his work, follow this link.

Or, download our final report which provides additional details on the five action teams and their accomplishments.

 

The Twin Ports KCCI Catalysts

 

Tara Alfonsi - H.T. Klatzky & Associates

Gary Banker - Superior Public Schools

Henry Banks - Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc.

Kathy Bartsias - Duluth Public Schools

Chani Becker - Hot House Design and Post

Robert Browne - Superior/Douglas County Board of Supervisors

Drew Digby - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Patrick Donahue - Natural Resources Research Institute

Kat Eldred - A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation

John Foucault - Points North Consulting

Brian Graff - SMDC

Gregory Grell - WDSE-TV

Debra Hannu - Duluth Public Schools

Gary Hedin - Downtown Dental Care of Duluth

Patrick Heffernan - Wheeler Associates

John Heino - Como Oil & Propane

Jerry Hembd - UWS-Extension

Lisa Heyesen - Area Partnership for Economic Expansion

Keir Johnson - A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation

Pamela Kramer - Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Linda Krug - UMD

Kris Larson - Minnesota Land Trust

Mary Mathews - Northeast Entrepreneur Fund

Crystal Pelkey - New Moon Publishing

Heather Rand - MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

Samantha Gibb Roff - Duluth Art Institute

Matthew Schoeppner - MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

Cheryl Skafte - United Way of Greater Duluth

Jennifer Smith - Eikill & Schilling

Phoebe Smith-Ellis - American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO)

Jennifer Wiczek-Bertsch - Moxie Coaching