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Community and Economic Development – Blog by UNC School of Government https://ced.sog.unc.edu Arts and Economic Development – New York Mills, MN (pop 1,200)By CED Guest AuthorPublished June 28, 2010
An article in today’s News & Observer profiles David Eckel, from Clayton, NC, who recently won the Great American Think-Off, a philosophy competition held in New York Mills, Minnesota (population 1,200). The Think-Off, an annual event, draws international visitors to the small community in Northern Minnesota to debate issues such as “Is democracy fair? And, is it ever wrong to do the right thing?” This year’s question, which prompted a winning argument from Mr. Eckel, was “Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?” Nearly 80 miles from any significant city, the small town of New York Mills demonstrates the potential for turning arts and culture into economic development. Through bold and forward-thinking investment by local leaders, the community created the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in 1992. In addition to the Think-Off, the center hosts an artist-in-residency program, art exhibits, theater productions and musical performances, including international caliber events, all of which make the arts accessible to rural residents. Further, the center set off a wave of new business creation. In the first six years that the cultural center was open, 17 new businesses opened in town, creating 350 jobs. Read more about New York Mills here. Will Lambe authored the NC Rural Center report, Small Towns, Big Ideas, and he served as Director of the Community and Economic Development Program at the School of Government from 2009 to 2014. |
Published June 28, 2010 By CED Guest Author
Will Lambe is the Director of the Community & Economic Development Program and the Community-Campus Partnership.
An article in today’s News & Observer profiles David Eckel, from Clayton, NC, who recently won the Great American Think-Off, a philosophy competition held in New York Mills, Minnesota (population 1,200). The Think-Off, an annual event, draws international visitors to the small community in Northern Minnesota to debate issues such as “Is democracy fair? And, is it ever wrong to do the right thing?” This year’s question, which prompted a winning argument from Mr. Eckel, was “Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?”
Nearly 80 miles from any significant city, the small town of New York Mills demonstrates the potential for turning arts and culture into economic development. Through bold and forward-thinking investment by local leaders, the community created the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in 1992. In addition to the Think-Off, the center hosts an artist-in-residency program, art exhibits, theater productions and musical performances, including international caliber events, all of which make the arts accessible to rural residents. Further, the center set off a wave of new business creation. In the first six years that the cultural center was open, 17 new businesses opened in town, creating 350 jobs.
Read more about New York Mills here.
Will Lambe authored the NC Rural Center report, Small Towns, Big Ideas, and he served as Director of the Community and Economic Development Program at the School of Government from 2009 to 2014.
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One Response to “Arts and Economic Development – New York Mills, MN (pop 1,200)”
David Eckel
Clayton NC has its own version of the New York Mills Cultural Center. Instead of demolishing the old Clayton Elementary School after it closed in 1997, the Clayton Center was created through a public-private partnership between the Town of Clayton and the Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation. The center opened in December 2002.
Since that time Sandy and I have enjoyed a number of excellent shows and other functions at the Clayton Center. Inevitably we marvel that such outstanding entertainment comes to our little town, accessible to us at a reasonable cost and literally ten minutes from our home to our seats.
In an example of unexpected benefits, the Clayton Center actually impacted this year’s Great American Think Off results. I was graciously permitted to use the auditorium’s stage to prepare for the debate. The practice and experience I gained reading my essay and answering trial questions to a large group of chairs rendered the actual debate experience less unfamiliar and intimidating.
What has been good generally for New York Mills and for Clayton has benefitted me personally. May I express my thanks and gratitude to those in both communities with the vision and initiative to convert liability into asset. That in itself is an art.