FEATURE
Realize Bradenton using social networking and media to attract world wide attention.1                                                                                                                                                   2

FEATURE
Branding Bradenton
Realize Bradenton strives to make the city cultural destination for residents and tourists alike                                                                                       
“Bradenton has a small-town feel, but all of the metropolitan amenities.

Groups see potential in Bradenton’s center

“‘In order to have a vibrant downtown in the future, we need a bustling cultural scene,’ said Mike Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority.”

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081017/ARTICLE/810170347/2292/FEATURES?Title=Groups_see_potential_in_Bradenton_s_center

Study: Arts mean business for Manatee County

“The report’s findings appeal to Realize Bradenton’s quest of making the city’s downtown area
more attractive to visitors. It encourages businesses and arts and cultural organizations to work
alongside each other for successful ventures that will boost the area’s economy.”

http://www.bradenton.com/186/story/1320671.html

Study reveals soul of Bradenton area community

“The goal of the study is to explore how community qualities influence residents' feelings about where they live and how those perceptions relate to local economic growth and vitality.”

http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=11226220

Smaller U.S. Cities Generate More Loyalty and Passion

Report on 26 American cities measures strength of community attachment and ranks the Bradenton area as number one in overall community attachment

http://www.gallup.com/poll/123218/Smaller-Cities-Generate-Loyalty-Passion.aspx

Bradenton Banks on Art for Redevelopment

“As officials in Bradenton seek new ways to revitalize the downtown area, public art may become a more significant part of the landscape in the Manatee County seat. Efforts like Realize Bradenton are pushing forward against harsh economic tides, and government is supporting the scenery by boosting its public arts programs.”

http://www.srqmagazine.com/JMailer/showMassMail.cfm?masID=1708

“This two-year study underscores the power of place and social connections to build economic development outcomes. Citizens who are attached to their community spread the word to prospective residents and tourists.”

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/2009/10/qa-with-local-official-johnette-isham-on-the-findings-in-bradenton/

Soul of the Community Findings from Bradenton, Florida area

“In the Bradenton area, social offerings (fun places to gather), aesthetics (an area’s physical beauty and green spaces) and openness (how welcoming a place is) were the most important factors emotionally connecting residents to where they live.”

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/findings-by-community/bradenton/

Revitalized Bradenton brims with artistic flair

“Bradenton (population 53,000) has become the little arts town that could, harnessing existing resources and adding attractions to create a package with plenty of cultural cachet.”

http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/us/florida/articles/2009/11/01/revitalized_bradenton_brims_with_artistic_flair/?page=3

Realize Bradenton Names New Executive Director

“According to Isham, ‘The opportunity to transform the collaborative spirit that emerged from the Realize Bradenton cultural planning process into sustainable results is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’”

http://www.madduxpress.com/arts-and-culture/2009/11/09/realize-bradenton-names-new-executive-director-2454

Realize Bradenton, Inc.—Creating and connecting together

“It (Realize Bradenton, Inc.) will establish high-performing relationships to advance downtown as a vibrant and creative hub where arts, culture and heritage flourish and attract more residents, artists, tourists, restaurants, investors and developers.”

http://www.bradenton.com/442/story/1857265.html

Leveraging our Cultural Capital in Florida’s Economic Recovery

"It's time we became wise that arts and culture are big business and the money we spend in these areas flows through every part of the economy."

http://www.83degreesmedia.com/devnews/arts121509.aspx

Bradenton’s arts strategy is inspiring

“What I didn’t expect was the buzz created by the Bradenton panelist. Johnette Isham described the Realize Bradenton plan to revitalize downtown as a creative hub for the city’s arts, cultural and historical organizations, from Snooty to Village of the Arts to McKechnie Field.”

http://www.bradenton.com/letters/story/1918839.html

Art district may be coming

“The developers and the ArtCenter both have long-term goals that they believe tie into the mission of Realize Bradenton, a group that promotes the arts as an economic force in Bradenton.”

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091231/ARTICLE/912311068?Title=Art-district-may-be-coming

Hope for Manatee’s economic future

The efforts of Realize Bradenton, Inc. and Bradenton Downtown Development Authority are described as key initiates that reflect the community’s aggressive approach to economic development.

http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/story/1946389.html

Village finds way to greet visitors

“Imagine an evening beginning at the Manatee River for dinner with a stroll on Artisan Avenue to visit Village of the Arts before going to one of the 70 evening baseball games at McKechnie Field on Ninth Street West.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100107/ARTICLE/1071052?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar

Arts-economic campaign gaining momentum

“The best part of this deal is it ensures the creation of a strong arts district, stretching from the Manatee Players’ new theater past ArtCenter Manatee and on to the South Florida Museum and Village of the Arts. Bravo.”

http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/story/1979217.html

Arts and the economy

“Investing in the region’s cultural capital will help sustain this successful effort to engage the arts in economic development.”

http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/story/1979217.html

New land codes change course for city growth

Councilman Patrick Roff said he saw these changes as catalysts for attracting the creative class to the urban core.

http://www.bradenton.com/847/story/2047951.html#Comments_Container