SALEM, Mass., July 25 /EMWNews/ -- -It's called the

creative economy, and it's playing an increasingly vital role in local

business growth, as evidenced by a ten-city initiative to promote economic

growth in this sector.



    Creative businesses of the North Shore generate more than $3 billion in

annual sales, comprise over 2200 businesses and employ over 20,000 workers.

These were the findings of a comprehensive study commissioned by the

Enterprise Center at Salem State College, the Salem Partnership, and the

Creative Economy Association of the North Shore.



    Using these findings, ten key communities of the North Shore of

Massachusetts, the Enterprise Center and the Salem Partnership have come

together in the Creative North Shore Initiative to promote continued

economic growth in this thriving sector. Key communities identified

include: Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Lynn, Marblehead,

Newburyport, Peabody, Rockport and Salem. These account for 73 percent of

the creative enterprises on the North Shore.



    Creative economy organizations are those that have their origin in

creativity, skill and talent where the potential for wealth and job

creation comes through the generation of ideas, products and/or services.

Not only does this include artists, writers and musicians that may first

come to mind, but also engineers, researchers, museum curators,

consultants, graphic designers, advertisers, software developers,

architects, marketers, and many more.



    The mission of this initiative is to grow the creative economy, promote

the region as a recognized and unique center of creativity and innovation,

and build a collaborative and coordinated regional approach to developing

this sector. Its priority is to promote an action plan while working with

government, educational, and business leaders to promote business between

creative economy members and the broader regional, national and global

economy.



    One of the premier features of the initiative was launched in with the

first ever "creative bump," an event designed to bring members of Salem's

creative economy together to stimulate additional business and

collaboration. Salem is home to over 200 creative economy organizations,

and they filled the room in this first ever event. Similar events are

scheduled in the other key cities and towns. At the bump, Mayor Driscoll

proclaimed July 24 to be Creative Economy Day and stated her support for

the continued growth of this sector in Salem.