Authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold joint hearings regarding Philadelphia's Creative Economy, with a focus on young professionals (25 to 34), and to explore potential methods and strategies to retain this demographic for the future of Philadelphia's economic growth.

WHEREAS, The Creative Economy, has become an important source of innovation and growth that can impact the region and future generations; and

WHEREAS, The Creative Economy is comprised of diverse, creative industries ranging from performing and fine arts, to design and engineering; and

WHEREAS, Identifying the Creative Economy as part of the knowledge industry with the potential for measurable growth; and

WHEREAS, Sponsoring collaborative initiatives, such as the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit, to showcase Philadelphia’s creative assets has tremendous value to the region; and

WHEREAS, This culture of cooperation and horizontal collaboration needs to be embraced in Philadelphia with a sense of urgency; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that business, civic, and political leaders assume responsibility for overcoming the historical differences and barriers between the city and the region to create and develop innovations that will foster and define a culture of cooperative leadership that positions the region for future growth; and

WHEREAS, These hearings can help define and strengthen Philadelphia’s Creative Economy, which has the potential to be the largest and best in America; and

WHEREAS, These hearings will also help establish how to attract and retain the young professional knowledge workers between the ages of 25-34 who are vital to Philadelphia’s economic future; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby authorize the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold joint hearings regarding Philadelphia’s Creative Economy, with a focus on young professionals (25 to 34), and to explore potential methods and strategies to retain this demographic for the future of Philadelphia’s economic growth.

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