Reader Evelyn Mitchell sent this story to me.
I’ve been following the blog The Thrifty Knitter. She’s participating in this:
I thought it was an interesting story for you for a couple of reasons.
First, that the Harveyville Project is re-purposing buildings in a small town for conference space and artistic residences. Secondly, that the Yarn School is attracting people from all over the country to a rural area for a conference.
There are lots of hidden assets in small towns, including inexpensive living space, peace and quiet, and the room to be creative.
Re-read that last sentence again:
There are lots of hidden assets in small towns, including inexpensive living space, peace and quiet, and the room to be creative.
Read more about the Harveyville Project, in Harveyville, Kansas.
Our overriding purpose is to provide an inspiring, energizing environment to foster creative output. Initially, we’ll focus on residents and small workshops and community projects.
Our residence programs range from two weeks to six months and cover living/studio space, utilities, and meals. Try a short recharge to get past a creative or procrastination bottleneck, or take several months to concentrate on a major project or thesis. By removing your accustomed distractions (shopping, traffic, social commitments, work routine, etc.), you can unclutter your mind and focus more directly on your craft. We invite artists, writers, musicians, and craftsmen, both student and professional.
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You could replicate this as either a development project or as a for-profit business. Take old buildings or structures, in town or out in a rural setting, and start the conversion process. Probably an ideal project for a creative type struggling to decide on a building.
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
[…] uses. Lots of small towns have old school buildings sitting empty. Harveyville, Kansas, made a creative conference space and artistic residences out of an old school. I’ve also heard of school buildings used as a product warehouse, a youth […]