Traditional Heritage Assets in the Creative Rural Economy

Russ Christianson

Founding President

Traditional Heritage Assets in the Creative Rural Economy

Heritage• Built in 1942; main street Campbellford

•Paul Imperial purchased in 1977

•Co-op organized in 2010, purchased in 2011

Community Involvement

Opening Night – Free Epic Movie

Traditional Heritage Assets in the Creative Rural Economy

• What are the ingredients that are required to make these ventures successful?

• What roles do passion, leadership and collaborative approaches play in moving from concept to reality?

• How could/should municipal governments play a leadership role?

• How are these creative industries stimulating new business development in rural communities?

Have fun and tap local talent

Ken Layton performs “Sharin’ the Aron,” a song he created expressly to help generate enthusiasm to convert the Aron Cinema into a community not-for-profit co-op business. Photo: Rolly Ethier

Build on existing assets

• Work with existing businesses

• Refurbish/save existing physical assets

• Lever the existing brand and goodwill

• Get the community involved early

• Keep the community informed – local media

• Participate in community events

• Show people what can be done

• Encourage community ownership

Entertain the Community

Ray Yurkowski, Belleville EMC Future filmmakers featured at the Soul Carnival film festival

(from left to right) Christian Hodge, Justin Bowman, Kate Brennan, Morgan Wright-Mellone, Blair Bastien and Dylan Wright-Mellone.

Get young people involved

Leadership & Collaboration

Community Ownership

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Nov 18-09

Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 May 10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11

Number of Members

# Members

Individual

Family

Community Foundation

Community Investment

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

$160,000

Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11

Total Aron Co-op Bonds Sold

Plan

• Financial feasibility – very early

• Partners and supporters; bonds and grants

• Organizational development

• Economic model and legal structure

• Board of Directors and Governance

• Membership engagement

• Transparency – website, newsletter, media

• Annual General Meeting & Democracy

The Future

Movies Music Community

• 1,000 Members

• Member engagement

• Participatory event organizing

• Differentiate from the multiplexes

• Cultural Hub