What sector of North Carolina’s economy is comprised of 380,000 people, pays $16 billion in wages each year, and generates another $200 million in tax revenue? This week’s guest is Center for Creative Economy’s Founding Executive Director Margaret Collins, who spearheaded an effort to examine our state’s “creative economy” (yes, that’s the answer to the above question in case you’re wondering). She set out to identify the number of creative industries working in North Carolina and to determine their overall impact to our state’s economy – and it’s no small contribution. Listen this week as we talk about the importance of creative thinking in business, North Carolina’s film industry, and what type of instrument our state would be in an orchestra.

This installment of First in Future is part of a special TV series produced in collaboration with UNC-TV, and recorded in UNC-TV’s Legislative Studio in downtown Raleigh. Taped segments will air on the North Carolina Channel. Visit www.ncchannel.org/schedule/ for specific air dates.