3. Traditional Heritage Assets
in the Creative Rural Economy
Heritage
• Built in 1942; main street Campbellford
•Paul Imperial purchased in 1977
•Co-op organized in 2010, purchased in 2011
7. Traditional Heritage Assets
in the Creative Rural Economy
• What are the ingredients that are required to
make these ventures successful?
• What roles do passion, leadership and
collaborative approaches play in moving from
concept to reality?
• How could/should municipal governments play a
leadership role?
• How are these creative industries stimulating
new business development in rural
communities?
8. Have fun and tap local talent
Ken Layton performs “Sharin’ the Aron,” a song he
created expressly to help generate enthusiasm to
convert the Aron Cinema into a community
not-for-profit co-op business. Photo: Rolly Ethier
9. Build on existing assets
• Work with existing businesses
• Refurbish/save existing physical assets
• Lever the existing brand and goodwill
• Get the community involved early
• Keep the community informed – local media
• Participate in community events
• Show people what can be done
• Encourage community ownership
11. Get young people involved
Ray Yurkowski, Belleville EMC
Future filmmakers featured at the Soul Carnival film festival
(from left to right) Christian Hodge, Justin Bowman, Kate Brennan,
Morgan Wright-Mellone, Blair Bastien and Dylan Wright-Mellone.
13. Community Ownership
Number of Members
450
400
350
300
250
200
# Members
150
Individual
100
Family
50
0
Nov 18- Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 May 10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11
09
15. Community Investment
Total Aron Co-op Bonds Sold
$160,000
$140,000
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11
16. Plan
• Financial feasibility – very early
• Partners and supporters; bonds and grants
• Organizational development
• Economic model and legal structure
• Board of Directors and Governance
• Membership engagement
• Transparency – website, newsletter, media
• Annual General Meeting & Democracy
17. The Future
Movies Music Community
• 1,000 Members
• Member engagement
• Participatory event organizing
• Differentiate from the multiplexes
• Cultural Hub
