Sunday, June 08, 2008

Nashville 'Creatives' may lure high-growth ventures

In the interest of encouraging high-growth ventures and better-paying jobs in Middle Tennessee, in 2007 the Greater Nashville Area Chamber launched its Entrepreneur Project, led by Bobby Frist and Mike Shmerling (L-R, at left). The EP's 75 members will soon report their recommendations for growing our chunk of the Knowledge Economy. More than two years ago, a Chamber consultant reported that local capacity for innovation was inadequate -- at that was just one of a seeming myriad of findings. One issue that the Project (or some successor organization) may need to address is Nashville's long-standing "Music City U.S.A." brand. At least one local executive thinks that brand has been extended to encompass more forms of work and play. If that's true, Nashville enjoys tremendous leverage in competition for "Creative Class" workers and ventures. Please read the story on the Venture Nashville website and send us your thoughts.

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