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DEVELOPMENT Talent eyes small-manufacturing boost Local leaders will attend New York conference to learn about 'maker spaces' Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News TALENT — A team of city leaders and artists plan to participate in a Brooklyn, N.Y., conference May 12-13 designed to help communities plan and create small-manufacturing spaces and help local entrepreneurs. Mosaic artist Karen Rycheck, woodworker Ryan Wilcoxson, Mayor Darby Stricker and Planning Commissioner Allison French will attend the event in the New York City borough. Etsy, an online marketplace where people buy and sell locally made goods, is sponsoring a "Makers City Summit," aimed at supporting local artists and others to undertake small-scale manufacturing. Rycheck, who has marketed her art through Etsy since 2009, approached French about submitting applications to attend the conference after she spotted it in an email sent by the organization. Stricker and Wilcoxson quickly became involved, and all four submitted applications. “This perfectly fits what we already are talking about, what we are doing in Talent,” said Rycheck. A Talent citizen advisory committee on economic development has consistently identified a "maker space" as a top priory for Talent growth and revitalization of the downtown area. “The ideas of maker space kept bubbling up to the top,” French said of an October Chamber of Commerce business forum on development. Maker spaces are becoming common in bigger cities, said Rycheck. Those using a maker space typically pay a fee, she said. Etsy went public with stock last year, and she said the firm may see the summit as a way to increase public awareness. “Artists know what (Etsy) is, but getting it out to the public and getting them to understand what it is, that’s really important,” said Rycheck. Each representative had to submit an individual application, but the company was looking for a team approach, said Rycheck. “They are interested in finding people who are already hooked into the community and doing self-motivated action,” said Rycheck. “We are really hoping that with their help we can create a maker space here that will serve not just Talent but the surrounding communities for economic development by artists and community members.” French is on a year’s leave from a teaching position at Ashland High School. She’s an artist who sells repurposed wood products such a benches, tables and gates on Etsy. Wilcoxon also sells through Etsy. “I’m really hoping to come back with an actionable initiative,” said French. “I think that’s where we can use Etsy’s experience at the summit to have it tailor-made for Talent.” Talent is the smallest of 11 communities invited so far to attend the summit. Others selected include Tacoma, Chicago, Los Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia. Kennesaw, Ga., at 32,000 people, is the second-smallest city named. Several hundred applications were received by Etsy. The firm will support community efforts beyond the conference. Etsy will reimburse travel costs for community members Rycheck and Willcoxson, but it wants to stay clear of lobbying laws, so it does not fund travel for government officials. Talent City Council agreed to cover air fare for Stricker and French. Stricker’s employer, Best Western, is contributing toward lodging as a benefit. The Talent Arts and Cultural Foundation is contributing $500 toward lodging, leaving another $648 to be raised. Donations can be made to “Team Talent” at Rogue Credit Union. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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