fbpx

As a distributed organization, the Center on Rural Innovation team comes together in person twice a year for a few days in one of the Rural Innovation Network communities to brainstorm, plan, and connect with each other, while also experiencing and learning about the host site. In September, we were fortunate enough to visit  Portsmouth, OH, and the Kricker Innovation Hub. 

Kricker Innovation Hub, connected to Shawnee State University, is a landmark facility that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in the region. It helps businesses and entrepreneurs grow and bring their ideas to tomorrow’s market. The team at Kricker Innovation Hub generously opened their doors to CORI staff, and we were able to experience firsthand the coworking space and engage with the Kricker community. 

As a member of the Rural Innovation Network, Portsmouth is a national leader in rural tech-based economic development and has been a partner in several CORI initiatives including the Economic Recovery Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA. It has also implemented intriguing economic development initiatives like its impressive mural project.  As part of our time in Portsmouth,  the CORI staff toured the Kricker Innovation Hub, saw the floodwall murals, and visited the Vault Ohio, an innovative eSports space. The CORI staff also had the opportunity to hear from local entrepreneurs about their efforts to elevate Portsmouth to be a leader in the eSports industry. 

 

Julian Waddell, Community Engagement Lead, visited The Vault and had the opportunity to speak with the co-founder of the esports space, Kyle James. Kyle explained how they’re not only hosting esports events but also actively building a bridge with Shawnee State’s Level Up Accelerator. By connecting their community of young gamers with the resources and mentorship available through the accelerator, The Vault is helping to turn gaming passion into real tech career opportunities, fostering a pipeline of local talent that can thrive in the gaming industry.

I attended the mural tour, which allowed me to learn more about the history of the community of Portsmouth. The murals tell the story of the community, beginning with its initial founding,  its role within the Underground Railroad, and the historical floods. They also highlight the notable people who have contributed to the community over the years. Started as an initiative during economic revitalization efforts in the 1990s, the murals create a culture of storytelling in their community and bring points of pride to downtown Portsmouth. Walking through the town, I felt a sense of connectedness from the small shops, restaurants, and community members. 

Oliver Leroy, Senior Data Engineer, joined the tour of the Kricker Innovation Hub. Kricker supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and aspiring innovators, something that is reflected in its downtown location within walking distance of Shawnee State University. He was impressed with the central location, the great light, and the number of phone booths and conference rooms. “[It’s] perfect to work effectively and meet other people!” The Kricker Innovation Hub demonstrates the impact that a coworking space can have on fostering connection and innovation within a local community.

Our Head of Entrepreneurship, Molly Pyle, facilitated a wonderful panel of local entrepreneurship leaders, including Economic Recovery Corp fellow Alax Foreman, who participates in CORI’s tech-based economic development cohort. Community members and CORI staff had the chance to hear the benefits and impact of rural entrepreneurship and elevating what’s possible within their community. We learned that Portsmouth is a leading innovator in video game design and development. Shawnee State University’s game design program is ranked in the country’s top five programs and Kricker works with many up-and-coming game developers. Portsmouth’s unique tech talent ecosystem allows them to flourish within the game design industry and stand out from the other national leaders. One of my favorite quotes over the week came during the panel: “Instead of spending money on a building, I’m able to spend that on talent [and] invest in research, innovation, etc.”

Although not everyone was able to participate in every opportunity, staff enthusiastically shared their experiences with each other.. Exploring the city of Portsmouth and learning about the Kricker Innovation Hub helped us ideate on best practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and see how our work manifests in rural communities throughout the nation. 

If you have the opportunity, connect with the Kricker Innovation Hub team in Portsmouth and learn more about their ongoing work from Amanda Hedrick, Derrick Parker, Clarissa Schauseil, and Joshua Lawson. They were incredible hosts and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.