For the Gazette 

WAUSAU ─ Thursday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m., Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” will welcome CREATE Portage County executive director Greg Wright and board president Bill Schierl to discuss creative placemaking and the economic impact of creative economies in Central Wisconsin.

In 2016, CREATE Portage County launched its efforts to lead community development through arts advocacy and creative placemaking. The organization supports public arts and culture experiences, including free live music through the Levitt Amp Series, to improve quality of life and attract new residents to Central Wisconsin. CREATE Portage County also supports a local creative economy through the IDEA Center, which is devoted to fostering creative industry. In 2019, the organization is exploring possible renovations to turn Stevens Point’s historic Fox Theater into a hub for creative enterprise and a new home for the IDEA Center. Listeners are invited to ask questions about CREATE Portage County and its programming and plans at 1-800-780-9742.

“Route 51” is heard Thursdays at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, and 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River. It is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau.