When you think of Fresno, the first word that comes to mind probably isn’t “innovation.” Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr. are part of a wave of Central Valley entrepreneurs hoping to change that. In 2013, they founded Bitwise Industries, and over the next 5 years went on to create a transformational 250,000 sq. ft. space: part school, part incubator, part auditorium, and 100% tech ecosystem. Speaking with Peter Hirshberg…
In the past four years, we’ve been inspired by how localism – the movement in cities and towns to drive civic engagement and inclusive economic development – has ignored the national climate of dysfunction and pessimism, and made real, tangible progress across America. At first, the national discourse in turn ignored localism; it was little more than a glimmer of hope on the horizon, at time when hope was hardly…
The following is an excerpt from “First-ever Maker City Festival brings spirit of Haynes and Apperson to Kokomo” by Haley Church of the Kokomo Tribune The spirit of Haynes and Apperson is alive and well in Kokomo, thriving under the direction of the aptly-named SHAK Makerspace. Dozens of makers braved the oppressive heat during the Haynes-Apperson Festival to host demonstrations and interactive projects on Superior St. Kokomo’s first Maker City…
Recently, we were asked by Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) on behalf of the Makers Valley Collective to partner with them on a unique proposal for Creative Placemaking. The proposal was solicited by the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg and asked for local organizations on the ground to propose work supporting inclusive growth in South Africa: promote conscientious urban revitalization in low-income urban neighborhoods through “creative placemaking” that integrates community-based arts…
Allegany County is located in upstate New York. This is a small county with a population of not quite 50,000, one with significant assets. A highly skilled population, especially as compared to other rural areas, with a concentration of tradespeople and advanced manufacturing competence The presence of both advanced manufacturing and science-based businesses as well as lower-tech “craft” businesses such as artists and small-scale agriculture Deeply affordable – both in…
