Incentives for Economic Development in Greater Lansing Propelled by Arts
Lansing, East Lansing and Michigan State University to unveil economic development incentive plan for creating jobs through arts and culture

LANSING, MI, October 23, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A plan to make greater Lansing the Midwest's most welcoming destination for artists and creative entrepreneurs will be released on Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center.

The "Cultural Economic Development Plan for Greater Lansing's Urban Center", a blueprint detailing the use of arts and culture as an economic development incentive, was created by a core group of local leaders, representatives from Lansing and East Lansing, Michigan State University, The Arts Council of Greater Lansing, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the State of Michigan.

"After receiving input from local leaders, creative businesses, community organizations and residents, we understand the key is to encourage creative entrepreneurship while emphasizing the influence of arts and culture on our quality of life," said Leslie Donaldson, Arts Council Executive Director. "By connecting existing economic incentives with a growing rank of creative entrepreneurs, we can create jobs and build on a thriving arts and cultural scene in greater Lansing,"

The plan outlines several action steps, such as providing creative entrepreneurs and artists access to business development tools to support their businesses; creating an annual creative entrepreneur award to recognize outstanding innovators, inventors, artists and designers; and developing a central web portal that directs creative entrepreneurs and artists to entrepreneurial training and resources, including information on other economic incentives.

"From the State Capitol to East Lansing and Michigan State University, with Michigan Avenue and the Grand/Red Cedar Rivers connecting the two cities," said Marchelle Smith, special projects director of the Lansing Economic Development Corp. "It makes sense to concentrate our collaborative efforts on a solid cultural economic development incentive that can act as a model throughout the region."

"A vital, culturally-rich, creative and economically diverse environment attracts and retains workers, business owners and makes residents proud," said Lori Mullins, community and economic development administrator for the City of East Lansing. "We are collaborating to help greater Lansing's urban center become a business destination and the core of a thriving arts, entertainment and knowledge economy."

The CED Plan was created with the assistance of Creative Community Builders, a consulting firm that specializes in helping integrate culture and creativity in community and economic development.

With a plan in place, the partners are working to identify funding to move these initiatives forward. Although these are challenging economic times, it has never been more vital to create a vibrant sense of place using the area's arts and cultural assets.

The public is invited to attend the presentation of the plan at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. For more information, or to view a copy of the plan, contact Marchelle Smith at 517-485-5419 or email at mcsmith@lansingmi.gov. For more information on Lansing Economic Development Corporation or any of its programs, visit http://lansingedc.com.

Press Release Contact Information:

Marchelle Smith
Lansing Economic Development Cor
Special Projects Director
401 S. Washington Sq. Suite 100
Lansing, MI
US 48933
Voice: 517-483-4140
Website: Visit Our Website