HandMade in America; HandMade in America; Community Development Community Development
in Western NCin Western NC
Case Studies on Community Case Studies on Community and Craftand Craft
Madison, WI Madison, WI –– Sept. 2007Sept. 2007
HandMade in AmericaOur mission is to
celebrate the HAND and the HANDMADE, to nurture the CREATION of TRADITIONAL and CONTEMORARY craft, to REVERE and PROTECT our resources and to preserve and enrich the SPIRITUAL, CULTURAL, and COMMUNITY life of our region.
Some HistorySome HistoryFounded in 1995We cover a 22 county region of western NCFounded with an initial grant from the Pew Partnership for Civic ChangeRegional planning process with more than 360 citizens on how to set up HandMade – purpose, 20 year goals and guiding principles established
Why HandMade?Why HandMade?
According to a 1995 study conducted by ASU, the total economic contribution of the craft industry to Western North Carolina is approximately $122 million.
Full-time producers contribute $25.6 million
Part-time producers contribute $22.7 million
Retail shops and galleries contribute $70.8 million (annually)
Our Purpose and Our GoalsOur Purpose and Our Goals
To make Western North Carolina the geographic center of handmade objects in the U.S.20 year goals and guiding principles at www.handmadeinamerica.org
Invisible Industry – Place Based
Clustering of Craftspeople and Related Businesses.
Case Study 1: Tourism & the Small Towns Program
67% of craft sales in WNC were to visitors
Authentic life style
Reverse the market
Our Guidebooks
Where are your sacred places?
Where do you not want visitors?
What would you share with a visitor about your craft heritage?
HandMade’s Tourism Program
Outreach to farmers and craftspeople
Marketing workshops
Hospitality training
Partner and Connect
Market through clusters and as a region
Packaging
Clusters in Tourism
Cluster through trails programsSmall townsThematicEncourage partnership through packaging, events, and cross-marketing
Birth of the Birth of the Small Towns ProgramSmall Towns Program
Towns left out Towns left out of the of the guidebookguidebook
Towns wanted Towns wanted more sitesmore sites
4 towns 4 towns 6 towns 6 towns 10 towns 10 towns 12 towns12 towns
Accomplishments & Challenges
Marketing
Keeping data up to date
New ways to stay current – packages
Maintain level of authenticity
Ways to tap into that economy for farmers
Sold over 50,000 of Craft and 10,000 of FarmsSpawned our Small Towns ProgramConsidered National Model15 replicated programsDocumented Econ Impact
Case Study 2: The Second Home and Construction Industry
One of fastest growing sectors in our region
In our 22 counties only one with zoning
190 gated communities in region (under const or recently completed.
Wealth Factor
2002-03 – Wealth grew 14% in the United States (those with incomes greater than 1 million dollars)
2003-04 – Wealth grew by 9% in U.S. and by 11% worldwide.
Grant to distribute to architects, designers and contractors
Planned training for craftspeople to work with contractors
New partners and appropriate ways to make those connections
Green Builders
Planned interiors book to release November
Architectural Sourcebook
Cluster in ConstructionShowcase homesClasses and training for both sidesSourcebooksLearning LabIncreased PR with clusteringTechnology
Case Study 3: Energy Xchange
History of the Site
Landfill was already a partnership –2 County Landfill for Mitchell and Yancey Counties
Idea originated in 1999 with a series of community meetings
Offices/ Visitor CenterGalleryPottery StudiosGlass Studios3 Greenhouses1 Aquaponics
Greenhouse3 Cold Frames
AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsBoth sites in total are reducing methane emitted into the air equivalent to the removal of 22,000 automobiles from NC roads.6 new businesses graduated in 20046 new residents in 2005 (35+ applicants)Annual gallery sales average $25,000Annual plant sales average $40,000Annual Site visitation (after 1st year peak) is about 2,000Have worked with about 20 farmers to help with transition from tobacco into alternative crops
Role of PartnersRole of PartnersBlue Ridge RC&D Inc. (greenhouses and propagation of rare and native flora
Mayland Community College (horticultural training and research and businesses training)
HandMade (craft studios, gallery, and tourism)
Three Areas of Growth for WNCThree Areas of Growth for WNC
Second Home Second Home ConstructionConstructionTourismTourismMedicalMedical
Thank You!
Carole Summers [email protected]
980/297-5775We specialize in cultural heritage tourism
–making the most of your assets.
www.handmadeinamerica.org
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