Authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to investigate the City's support of the use of manufacturing in the creative industry, and how promoting and increasing this relationship will benefit the manufacturing sector in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Small to medium sized specialty production houses are more nimble, and do not require the same significant time and capital investment as large manufacturing plants; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Commerce, the City Planning Commission, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation collaborated on the Industrial Land and Market Use Strategy to affect the expansion and retention of the manufacturing sector in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Graduates from Philadelphia educational institutions with degrees in the creative industry remained in Philadelphia after graduation due to the high cost of relocating to creative epicenters, thereby creating demand for manufacturers to market and commercialize their work; and

WHEREAS, Inquiries by artisans looking for manufacturers became a frequent request of the Commerce Department; and

WHEREAS, Through increased collaboration between manufacturers and artisans, manufacturers will find synergies in the development of new products, thus expanding their market base; and

WHEREAS, Through increased collaboration between manufacturers and artisans, both parties will experience an increase in demand and business, enabling them to stabilize and expand their respective workforces; and

WHEREAS, Promoting local collaboration is more sustainable, as materials will not have to travel, thereby minimizing their carbon footprint; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to investigate the City's support of the use of manufacturing in the creative industry, and how promoting and increasing this relationship will benefit the manufacturing sector in Philadelphia.

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