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HandMade in America; Community Development in Western NC Case Studies on Community and Craft Madison, WI – Sept. 2007

HandMade in America Our 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 History

Founded in 1995 We cover a 22 county region of western NC Founded with an initial grant from the Pew Partnership for Civic Change Regional planning process with more than 360 citizens on how to set up HandMade – purpose, 20 year goals and guiding principles established

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 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 programs Small towns Thematic Encourage partnership through packaging, events, and crossmarketing

Birth of the Small Towns Program

Towns left out of the guidebook Towns wanted more sites 4 towns 6 towns 10 towns 12 towns

Accomplishments & Challenges

Sold over 50,000 of Craft and 10,000 of Farms Spawned our Small Towns Program Considered National Model 15 replicated programs Documented Econ Impact

Marketing Keeping data up to date New ways to stay current – packages Maintain level of authenticity Ways to tap into that economy for farmers

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.

Architectural Sourcebook

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

Cluster in Construction

Showcase homes Classes and training for both sides Sourcebooks Learning Lab Increased PR with clustering Technology

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 Center Gallery Pottery Studios Glass Studios 3 Greenhouses 1 Aquaponics Greenhouse 3 Cold Frames

Accomplishments

Both 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 2004 6 new residents in 2005 (35+ applicants) Annual gallery sales average $25,000 Annual plant sales average $40,000 Annual Site visitation (after 1st year peak) is about 2,000 Have worked with about 20 farmers to help with transition from tobacco into alternative crops

Role of Partners

Blue 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 WNC

Second Home Construction Tourism Medical

Thank You!

Carole Summers Morris carole@meritage-consulting.com 980/297-5775 We specialize in cultural heritage tourism –making the most of your assets.

www.handmadeinamerica.org