The Industrial Commons
Strategy Animation Narrative Video
The Industrial Commons was formed in 2015 in response to a need in Western North Carolina for an industry-focused organization to provide resources and support to firms and networks in a way that improves livelihoods and roots wealth in communities.
Our Challenge
Founded by leaders from the factory floor, The Industrial Commons (TIC) team uses their experience to solve problems by building out solutions in manufacturing clusters that address business resiliency, worker agency, and environmental issues. They are creating an inclusive economy rooted in community and dignity. Their approach is unique because they build on the assets of the region, bringing workers and manufacturers together to find triple-bottom-line solutions to entrenched manufacturing issues.
TIC operates a complex ecosystem. There are 25 TIC staff, they have launched 5 cooperative businesses, there are 100+ workers in their co-ops, and there are 25 small mills representing 2,500 workers in their industry cooperative (the Carolina Textile District). They have managed over $8M in grants over the last 5 years and leveraged dollars $3 to $1 for over $10M in investment. They are undergoing the development of an industrial campus and occupy a previously vacated mill of 180K sq. ft. All of their enterprises are supported by their bi-lingual, women-led bookkeeping co-op - Good Books. And, they are developing the only true circular economy textile waste production facility in the U.S. with Material Return and its adjacent brand ReturnTex™.
Naturally, our challenge was to showcase their skills, programs, energy, and network in a succinct way. But equally important, we needed to portray their communities and people in ways that felt authentic and showcased the mission and values of TIC in ways that would relate to outside audiences.
The Approach
We have been invited to help shape multiple stories for TIC through their years of significant growth. We are honored to be selected as a partner for them, even though we are not from their community. They recognize that an outside perspective is helpful in translating their (at times) complex work to audiences. By integrating our values, we’ve been able to tell their story respectfully, and authentically while amplifying ideas of community, ownership, and energy. We spent a significant amount of time researching and speaking with TIC ahead of our filming dates as well as story mapping to ensure that we would gather the themes and topics that were essential to the story.
“When we partner with groups like The Industrial Commons where we work with and within communities that are not our own, we’re often acting as a sponge to absorb as much knowledge and information as possible about a place, its people, and its shared history. This knowledge gives us a foundation on which to stand, but it is important that we keep our eyes and ears open, and ask a lot of questions to make sure that what we are making remains authentic and accurate.”
- Brett Marshall, Executive Director of Production
Results
Over the years, we’ve been able to bring awareness to TIC’s mission, growth, and business model that is people-focused, dynamic, and successful. We have been able to widen the scope of their audience and drive awareness for a new model of manufacturing that is worker-focused, worker-owned, diverse, and rooting wealth locally.
Thriving Here - The Carolina Textile District
In 2015, we produced our first video, Thriving Here, about the Carolina Textile District (CTD). This video explores the historic events that have affected US manufacturing, and how the Carolina Textile District was developed. We visited Opportunity Threads, TS Designs, and Manufacturing Solutions Center - all manufacturing partners in the CTD.
We Are The Industrial Common
Our second video, in 2021, focused on the development of The Industrial Commons, the umbrella organization that incubates and grows the CTD, as well as their other social enterprises and cooperatives. This video explores the strength of the TIC, how they do the work, and what they are building towards.