Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Finding Florida in the Mountains: Understanding the Role of the “Creative Class” in Appalachian Economic Development.
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Florida’s (2006) conceptualization of the “creative class” has generated significant interest in how groups of highly educated, diverse, and tolerant individuals contribute to economic development. In this paper, we consider how the “creative class” is viewed by city leaders within Appalachia. Significant efforts to incorporate the “creative class” in theories of local economic development have focused on the economic benefit of attracting these individuals to large metropolitan areas. Considerable analysis addresses how many of the largest cities within developed countries have established incentives for such individuals to relocate to their communities. Little effort has been directed to determine whether city leaders within rural regions have also developed similar economic development strategies. Economic development is increasingly becoming the responsibility of cities, and many cities within Appalachia reflect this reality. In this paper, we address this question by studying the economic development efforts of several Appalachian cities. Using multiple data sources, we reconstruct if and how city leaders approach recruiting the “creative class” and the challenges of attracting this group to their cities. The findings presented within this paper illustrate the extent to which city leaders within Appalachia view the “creative class” as a potential source of future residents for their communities. Findings also illustrate which strategies are viewed by city leaders as most and least effective in recruiting members of the “creative class.” These findings suggest that increasing awareness of the diversity within Appalachia among the “creative class” is the most effective way of attracting these individuals.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Jason Sides, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Southeast Missouri State University where he teaches courses on administrative theory and fiscal administration among others. His research interests include public organizations, local political institutions and economic development.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
James Vanderleeuw, Ph.D., is Professor of Political Science at Lamar University where he holds the Jack Brooks Chair in Government and Public Service and directs the Lamar University Center for Public Policy Studies. His research interests include local economic development, city management, urban electoral behavior and minority politics.
Finding Florida in the Mountains: Understanding the Role of the “Creative Class” in Appalachian Economic Development.
Florida’s (2006) conceptualization of the “creative class” has generated significant interest in how groups of highly educated, diverse, and tolerant individuals contribute to economic development. In this paper, we consider how the “creative class” is viewed by city leaders within Appalachia. Significant efforts to incorporate the “creative class” in theories of local economic development have focused on the economic benefit of attracting these individuals to large metropolitan areas. Considerable analysis addresses how many of the largest cities within developed countries have established incentives for such individuals to relocate to their communities. Little effort has been directed to determine whether city leaders within rural regions have also developed similar economic development strategies. Economic development is increasingly becoming the responsibility of cities, and many cities within Appalachia reflect this reality. In this paper, we address this question by studying the economic development efforts of several Appalachian cities. Using multiple data sources, we reconstruct if and how city leaders approach recruiting the “creative class” and the challenges of attracting this group to their cities. The findings presented within this paper illustrate the extent to which city leaders within Appalachia view the “creative class” as a potential source of future residents for their communities. Findings also illustrate which strategies are viewed by city leaders as most and least effective in recruiting members of the “creative class.” These findings suggest that increasing awareness of the diversity within Appalachia among the “creative class” is the most effective way of attracting these individuals.
