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Software engineers, scientific
researchers, photographers, marketing professionals, lawyers and venture
capitalists. What the people in these professions have in common is the
necessity to creatively use their wiles as well as their talents throughout
a day. The number of these jobs is increasing disproportionately to the
number of talented workers, creating a new demand for skilled employees.
The people that tend to develop these skills have common characteristics.
Companies focusing on these areas are beginning to locate in places that
offer what these workers need in order to help lure the best employees. A
recent report by economist Richard Florida titled, Rise of the Creative
Class, shows that Tempe is a thriving place for this new breed of workers to
reside.
The creative class makes up about 30 percent of the workforce, up from 20
percent in 1980. Averaging about $50,000 annually, the creative class member
earns nearly double what the working class does at $28,000, or the service
worker does at $22,000.
A snapshot of the creative class shows these people to be:
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Highly educated
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Earning about $50,000 annually
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Single and childless
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Working long hours, preferring them to be flexible
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Working in technology, finance, the law or marketing
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Creative problem solvers
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Unafraid to take chances
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Unconventional and highly supportive of individuality and differences
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Happiest at bistros and concerts where personal interaction is important
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Using outdoor recreational amenities regularly
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Raising the children they have to
respect these values
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Continuing to live this way as they age
Tempe does what it takes to attract these workers. Here are the typical
traits of these employees and how Tempe pleases them.
Creative class members are attracted to places where they can easily find
opportunities to thrive, be themselves and fit in, solve problems and move
onto the next challenge. Diversity is extremely important. Tempe is the most
diverse city in Arizona. With Arizona State University within Tempe’s city
limits there is an on-going array of lectures, research, and debates on any
given day.
Creative class workers want an active nightlife with a strong cultural
focus. Downtown Tempe’s pedestrian atmosphere, with its cafes, sidewalk
musicians and art galleries has the highest concentration of retail,
nightclubs, and restaurants in Arizona. It’s great for people-watching and
people-meeting. Arizona State University offers Broadway plays, concerts,
and art museums. Soon, the Tempe Center for the Arts will provide another
state-of-the-art venue. Tempe Town Lake hosts a variety of live
entertainment as well.
Creative class members tend to want to push their bodies with active
sports such as kayaking, triathlons and distance bicycling. The Rock and
Roll Marathon comes to Tempe in 2004. The Tempe International Triathlon
brings more than 1,000 athletes to swim, bike and run. The Desert Sprints
Regatta and the many rowing teams in Tempe allow people to compete against
national athletes.
Music and art are key elements to attracting the creative class. They want
opportunities to participate as well as simply enjoy unique culture. The
Mill Avenue Festival of the Arts brings artists from around the world to
Tempe twice a year. The Tempe Music Festival and New Times Music Showcase
bring top rock bands from around the country to the streets of Tempe.
Live@theLake is a free Sunday night concert series of local talent ranging
from reggae to pop to blues.
Authenticity of a neighborhood is important. The historic Mill Avenue
Bridge, Monti’s Restaurant and surrounding neighborhoods date back to the
late 1800s. They are community icons that the City works to preserve.
The Creative Class wants late business hours, open to the public events,
and drop-in events without set start times are key. Tempe Beach Park hosts
more than 40 events each year that are open to the public and free. Many of
these happen during evening hours.
As Tempe continues to attract more
Bioindustry and high technology
companies, an even stronger cluster of these employees will form. The City
is committed to continue efforts to keep these workers.
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