Council Promotes Madison County’s Creative Economy

2014 Creative Economy CouncilA county-wide council works tirelessly to promote and celebrate Madison County’s Creative Economy. In just two years, the Madison County Creative Economy Council (MCCEC) has presented two County wide after hours events and launched a website that was unveiled last fall. The website, www.madisoncountycreativeeconomy.com, can also be accessed from a tab on the County’s website, www.madison-co.com.

“We want this website to be a comprehensive place for anyone who wants to find out about activities, meetings and events going on in the County, as well as points of interest,” said Jan Collins, Madison County Business League Executive Director. “It’s also a place to find businesses which are part of Madison County’s creative economy.” The MCCEC invites municipalities, organizations, churches and other individuals hosting events in Madison County to promote the event on the website by contacting any of the members or Jan Collins.

Inspired by the Mississippi Creative Economy study (www.mscreativeeconomy.com) put together by the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Madison County Creative Economy Council was formed to help others understand Madison County’s creative economy as it exists today, helping us to be better positioned to support and further develop this key sector.

The MCCEC is a convergence of organizations with a strong interest in seeking out and promoting all that is good in the County. The effort began in 2012, and regular meetings have resulted in this website – a place where anyone who is interested can see, in one place, the major creative forces, both man-made and natural, that make Madison County stronger than ever.

The people and organizations that make up the Madison County Creative Economy Council include the Canton Chamber of Commerce Main Street Association, Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau & Film Office, Flora Area Chamber of Commerce, Madison the City Chamber of Commerce, Madison County Business League, Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Madison County Economic Development Authority, Madison County Foundation, Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce, Ridgeland Tourism Commission, MS Craftsmen Guild, and Susan Marquez Consulting. “It’s been an amazing collaboration by representatives of all these organizations,” said Collins.

The 2014 Madison County Business After Hours is scheduled for Thursday, September 25th at the Livingston Township.

For more information on the Madison County Creative Economy, contact the Madison County Business League office at 601-832-5592 or email collins.jan01@gmail.com.

Pictured are (back row standing, left to right) Elizabeth Bryant, Madison the City Chamber; Linda Bynum, Ridgeland Chamber; JoAnn Gordon, CCVB & Film Office; Susan Marquez, Consulting; Jana Padgett, CCVB & Film Office.

(seated front row, left to right): Jan Collins, Madison County Business League; Nancy Perkins, MS Craftsmen Guild; Mina Thorgeson, Ridgeland Tourism; and Gray Marchetti, Madison County Foundation.

Not pictured: Jodi Maughon and Paige Petersen, Madison County Chamber; Sheila Blakely, Flora Area Chamber and Mary Beth Wilkerson, Ridgeland Tourism.