Latest updates in Open Source Economic Development...

May 1, 2008/Stock Market & Financial News - BusinessWeek: The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open) and Near-Time Announce New Approach to Building Innovative Workforce Development Partnerships

Best practices in Open Source Economic Development continue to be adopted in 39 regions across the U.S. "Competitive communities and regions need new approaches to integrate their education, economic development and workforce development investments," according to Ed Morrison, Director of I-Open. "We need fast, responsive initiatives to deliver the skills that globally competitive businesses demand." Read the  BusinessWeek article.

"The Near-Time platform has fully integrated Web 2.0 functionality that promotes collaboration, not simply social networking. "Near-Time provides us the power and the simplicity we need to make strategic doing a reality," remarked Morrison. Learn more about WIRED-Nation.

In Northeast Ohio, Midtown Brews and Meet The Bloggers build civic networks to share information about global topics affecting local economic development. Conversations address innovations in interactive technologies, creative industries, energy, land re-use, climate change, and water. Midtown Brews

You can catch the live show broadcasts and chat with civic leaders from your desktop. Conversations, stories, and I-Open Education sessions are available on-demand. NEO Connects

Watch the Women's Enterprise Network InternetTV Live Show priemering on Sat, June 14. WENetwork

In the months ahead, we'll be sharing weekly updates and next opportunities. Explore our online spaces below. Send us your ideas and suggestions. All are welcome.

The I-Open Team

Ed, Susan, Dennis, & Betsey

info@i-open.org

NEO Connects A Public Platform for Civic Engagement

• InternetTV Feature: Story of "Instructions from the Cook" with author, Jack Ricchiuto talks about new approaches to community building; Helen Knipes Smith shares the story of how her community addressed urban revitalization; our technology gap; and the value civic engagement brings to strengthening government, democracy, and the future of society.

Communities:

Midtown Brews Open conversations in technology, the creative industries, and energy

• InternetTV Feature: Jim Rokakis, makes the case for a county-wide land bank; Brooke Furio, US EPA, land re-use in former industrial urban areas and the value of revitalizing government infrastructure and tools; Gloria Ferris, talks about the value land banks can bring to regional transformation and nomadic real estate development
• F2F: Thurs, June 5, 2008, 5:30PM-7:30PM, Insivia. "Essential Footing: Our County-Wide Land Bank," James Rokakis, Cuyahoga County Treasurer

I-Open Education Practices and tools for Open Source Economic Development

• InternetTV Feature: Views of Punderson Park, Live Show: Ed Morrison presenting Open Source Economic Development concepts, I-Open Leadership Retreat, April 24, 2008
• F2F: I-Open Leadership Retreats: Edward Lowe Foundation, MI June 2008; Punderson Manor, Newbury, OH Sept 10, 11 & 12, 2008,

Women's Enterprise Network Economic development from a woman's perspective

• InternetTV Feature: Martha Eakins describes the advocacy network her Mother built to preserve land now known as Shaker Lakes from highway development; MaryBeth Matthews shares the story of lessons learned from her Mother
• F2F: Sat, June 14, 2008, 9:30AM-10:30AM, Judson Park Topic: "Things I learned from my Mother"

Defrag Ohio Connecting resources and capabilities in creative digital media

• InternetTV Feature: Live Shown, Defrag Gathering 2006, FUTURE@CIA, Ed Morrison, Opening Session