HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 63
(By Mr. Speaker (Mr. Thompson) and Delegates Craig, Cann, Caputo,
DeLong, Ennis, Fragale, Gall, Hartman, Hutchins, Klempa, Kominar,
Michael, Moore, Moye, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, M. Poling,
Proudfoot, Stalnaker, Talbott, Tucker, Varner, White and Yost)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study
sustainable funding methods to develop creative communities
prepared to embrace opportunities in the new economy.
Whereas, The grouping of industry sectors and job roles
commonly referred to as the "new economy" or "creative sector
economy" consist of those organizations and individuals who make
their living creating, licensing and marketing intellectual
property, including, but not limited to, architectural and graphic
design, information technology, scientific research and
development, energy technology, engineering, management and
professional services, arts and cultural offerings, and media
production; and
Whereas, According to Workforce West Virginia data, the new
economy industry sector represents over twenty-five percent of
employment income in the State of West Virginia, is growing faster
than almost all other industry sectors, and is projected to grow by
over ten percent through the year 2014; and
Whereas, According to U.S. Census Bureau data, average salaries
of employees in the new economy sector are typically up to forty
percent to fifty percent higher than other industry sectors; and
Whereas, The future success of traditional West Virginia
industries such as manufacturing and mining are largely dependent
on breakthrough research and development derived from new economy
sector job roles such as engineering, scientific research and
information technology; and
Whereas, The mobility and flexibility inherently present in the
nature of new economy sector industries provided by the Internet
and globally connected markets, so that entrepreneurs, executives
and employees of new economy organizations have dramatically more
choices in where to live and work; and
Whereas, Research has suggested that a combination of the
following elements within a community serve as important attributes
that attract creative sector talent and have a high correlation
with successful new economy development:
(1) Availability of new economy-savvy talent as measured by
the percentage of adults with college or advanced degrees,
experienced entrepreneurs and an educational system designed to
meet the needs of twenty-first century education;
(2) Openness to people different than themselves and ideas
different than their own;
(3) Strong "quality of place," defined as a vibrant availability of arts, cultural and entertainment offerings;
commitment to sustainable development practices and policies; and
availability of outdoor recreation; and
(4) Widespread availability and adoption of computer
technology, broadband connectivity and mobile communications;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Committee is hereby requested to study the
feasibility of a pilot creative communities development program
that would deliver integrated planning, funding and execution
support to select communities in the identified new economy pillars
of twenty-first century education, promotion of tolerance and
diversity, quality of place, sustainable development and technology
and broadband adoption; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Committee study the readiness of
West Virginia counties to support new economy growth and
development in order to prioritize and select eligible pilot
communities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Committee report to the regular
session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary
to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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