New Creative Economy Incubator Launched at Enterprise Center at Salem State – Half of all businesses in North Shore incubator and growth center now belong to Creative Economy

The Enterprise Center at Salem State College today announced the launch of a special sub incubator and growth center focused on Creative Economy businesses. 14 of the 28 businesses currently in the Enterprise Center belong to the Creative Economy—an economic segment that is considered a strong growth area for Boston’s North Shore. Eight of the Creative Economy businesses are startups—all of whom have come to the center in the past year. The Enterprise Center is a small business incubator and growth center serving communities North of Boston.

Last year, the Salem Partnership and the Enterprise Center at Salem State College formed a 35 member Taskforce on the Creative Economy to explore means for growing jobs and attracting more businesses to this largely unrecognized sector.

Demographic research provided by The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, concluded that nearly 1,000 regional creative businesses employ about 6,000 people and produce $1.258 billion in revenues. Research earlier completed by the New England Council concluded that there are more people employed in creative economy organizations than in the region’s software or medical technology industries.

“The creative economy is a newly identified growth sector, particularly suitable for areas like the North Shore that have high levels of amenities such as culture, history, proximity to transportation, and natural attractions including oceans, parks, and other strong recreational components,” said Christine Sullivan, Executive Director of the Enterprise Center. “By spotlighting this new section of our incubator, we both highlight our region’s commitment to growing the creative economy and provide a special focus and networking opportunity for the businesses within the Enterprise Center.”

Creative Economy businesses include both technology and non-technology based creative organizations ranging from multimedia to web and print designers, artists, architects, advertising, education, museums and cultural industries film, games, historic preservation, new media, publishing and radio and TV.

Enterprise Center tenants already have access to dozens of free programs for business owners provided by the Enterprise Center. In addition, they now have a forum for networking and talking about issues particular to their organizations.

“This particular segment has so much in common that when they meet they often find joint projects that taken together expand their businesses and their revenues. For example, at one meeting, five of our creative economy businesses started doing business with one another immediately. It is that kind of activity that will grow this sector” Sullivan said.

The center can be contacted at Salem State College’s Central Campus at 121 Loring Ave, Salem, MA 01970, by phone at 978-542-7528, by fax at 978-542-7061 or visit them at http://www.enterprisectr.org.

Creative Economy businesses in the Enterprise Center include:

• Multi Media Pros—marketing, advertising, and PR using multimedia technology

• MISCfit –drama coaching and presentation skills for executives

• New England Guitar Workshop

• Salem Internet Services—internet services and web design

• Cave Dog Studios—electronic and print design

• Dominic’s Music—design, repair and sales of musical instruments

• Digital Image—design and printing

• Innovative Computer—IT skill building using e-learning and one on one coaching

• Nancy Salone—custom design and production of drapes and slipcovers and more

• Scudder Marketing Group—marketing consulting

• Dillon Consulting—sales and leadership training

• Next Exec’s—high tech recruiting

• MoMo Panache—design and distribution of art glass

• A La Main—design and production of handbags