The Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Program, fostered through the Camiros planning process in Rockford

In August 2012, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey tweeted at Etsy’s CEO, Chad Dickerson:
“Since we need an “Etsy Economy’ has Etsy begun any partnerships with high schools or job training? We’d love to explore.”

The captain of the Rockford Etsy Team joined in the dialogue:
“I’d love to see where this leads! Rockford Etsy Team is willing to help.”

This dialogue led to a unique partnership that will help Rockford build upon the creative talents of its residents.

The Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Program in the Ellis Heights Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan is designed to foster a creative and community-based economic development program that will 1) raise the visibility of arts and culture as a realistic and “do-able” approach to economic development, 2) identify and inventory creative workers, artists and cultural entrepreneurs who will shape and move the program forward, 3) reveal and utilize hidden talents and cultural assets held by the community, and 4) highlight spaces and places where arts based and creative economic development programming can take place. The project will work to further integrate community strategies to create new opportunities for arts engagement, appreciation, growth, pride and economic benefit.