Championing a new model for economic prosperity thanks to a growing number of creative micro-entrepreneurs – or “makers” – who have worked with local government to achieve success, Tacoma has been selected by Etsy as an Etsy Maker City for 2016.

Tacoma is one of just 13 cities, selected from hundreds of applicants across the United States and Canada, to achieve this honor.

“An Etsy Maker City recognizes that local manufacturing puts people and ideas at the center of commerce, and empowers them to build creative businesses on their own terms,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “This approach helps ensure that economic opportunity is inclusive and promotes entrepreneurship.”

On May 12 and 13, Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride, Stephen Jones of Tacoma Manufacturing, and Tim and April Norris of TimplusApril will join 12 other “maker” communities at the Etsy Maker Summit in Brooklyn, NY.

The summit is designed to bring together creatives, and local governments supportive of their creative community, for the purpose of creating actionable initiatives to bring home and implement throughout the year. “Stephen and TimplusApril each applied separately, and shared their great talent and the support that the City of Tacoma provides to creatives through Spaceworks and other innovative programs,” said McBride. “We are honored to be selected.

Tacoma has such a rich foundation of talent, as well as a history of creating and manufacturing, and we want to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Continuing Tacoma’s tradition of fine manufacturing, Jones designs and produces handcrafted goods in a co-working space located in the Nalley Valley. He started his company, Tacoma Manufacturing, with a salvaged industrial sewing machine purchased from a military auction. Jones now designs and manufactures products for a variety of brands, including his original brand, Black Anchor.

Tim and April Norris are a creative couple and the parents of twins, bringing their backgrounds in design, architecture, art and music to make art and design objects for individuals and families who live a life of adventure.
Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods. Etsy has a large, active and diverse global community of “maker” businesses.

Etsy Maker Cities were selected based on a number of criteria, including community involvement, project ideas and alignment with the Make Cities initiative, which seeks to reimagine creative commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world.