Finding jobs in 'creative' culture
The ''creative economy" will be center stage on Wednesday in Salem, where arts advocates, entrepreneurs, and policy makers from across Massachusetts will brainstorm about the promising business sector.
Some 150 people are expected at ''The Innovation Agenda: Growing the Creative Economy in Massachusetts," a conference from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hawthorne Hotel and Peabody Essex Museum.
''We're all concerned about the population decline and other issues facing Massachusetts," said Christine B. Sullivan, executive director of Salem State College's Enterprise Center, a conference sponsor. ''We have a real challenge ahead of us, to grow jobs."
And it's not likely one big employer will come along adding thousands of jobs, Sullivan noted. The burden is likely to fall to small companies with big potential -- such as an online publisher -- and to the eclectic mix of artists, museums, and historic sites that dot the region's landscape, she said. ''We have to look to grow what we have," said Sullivan, cochairwoman of a local task force on the creative economy. ''Massachusetts has always been known for its culture and innovation."
The creative economy's value is hard to measure. A 2004 report from the New England Council estimated the sector employs 81,945 people in Massachusetts, and 9,283 in New Hampshire, industries like architecture, art supply stores, cable television, museum and historic sites, data shows.
A study prepared by the Eagle
''We're just one area of the state concentrating on this," said Sullivan. ''There are pockets of success in other areas, too. . . . But what's needed is a road map to know where we're all headed."
Wednesday's conference will include panel discussions, talks, and workshops on key industry sectors. Topics include reviving cities through the arts, investment opportunities, and the nexus of culture and technology.
The conference, believed to be the first of its kind in Massachusetts, is funded with a $50,000 state appropriation, and a $30,000 grant from the John Adams Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a conference sponsor. Other sponsors are the Salem Partnership and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Bank boosts loans
Georgetown Savings Bank has beefed up loan operations. The bank recently hired A. Gary Petralias as mortgage loan originator and named Robert Rivard a vice president/senior loan officer. Petralias will focus on residential mortgage lending in the North Shore/Merrimack Valley region. Rivard will target commercial customers, including small businesses, including those in southern New Hampshire.
Robert E. Balletto, the bank's president, said the new loan push is part of a ''new model for us, and one that supports our overall business goals."
The bank, with $164 million in assets, has experienced growing pains. The cost of opening a new branch in North Andover contributed to the bank losing $57,000, or 2 cents per share, in the three-month period ending on Dec. 31, 2005, compared with $184,000 in profit over the same period in 2004, the bank reported.
Georgetown Savings had a limited public stock offering last year. The bank's shares are traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol GTWN.
Corvettes on view
Hillcrest Chevrolet in Salem will rev it up today for the North Shore Children's Hospital during its fourth annual Corvette Fun Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the dealership on Highland Avenue.
More than 100 Corvettes, some with magnesium wheels and others sporting flames down the side, will be on display during the free event. Corvette owners from across New England are expected to roll into town. At 4 p.m., they'll cruise to Salem Willows for a fun ride through Witch City.
''The 'Vette is the chariot of our dreams," said Hillcrest owner Rob Cerundolo. ''It's America's only sports car."
Hillcrest ranks as one of the largest Corvette dealers in Eastern Massachusetts. The dealership sells over 100 per year, with the basic model starting at around $45,000. The typical buyer is a male, age 50 on up, many of whom are veterans, Cerundolo said.
He said the car's name is a play on the term Korean veteran.
Corvette owners who display their wheels today are asked to make a $25 donation for the hospital, which is about a mile away from the dealership. The event could raise at least $2,500, Cerundolo said.
Datebook
The Women's Business Center on Tuesday will hold its second annnual WomenBiz Auction 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Country Club in Greenland, N.H. Admission at the door is $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit the center's program to promote economic opportunity for women in the Seacoast region. For more information, contact Shannon at 603-430-2892 or at programs@womenbiz.org
''The Economy and Your Small Business," a seminar featuring John Bitner, chief economist at Eastern Bank, will be held on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Route 1 north in Peabody. The cost is $10 for members of a chamber of commerce; $15 for others. For information, call 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu.
Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com. 
