About Us

Dr. Bruce Peter Corrie

▸ CO-CREATOR, CULTURAL DESTINATIONS, ECONOMIST, ACADEMIC LEADER, EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS (PhD. Notre Dame)

Picture of our collaborative canvas at the Cultural Destinations Boutique at the Minnesota State Fair where we illustrated our model with cultural businesses featuring their products and visitors experiencing a destination – global music, collaborative art, and the Culture is Cool Fashion Show. It is common to see people dancing as they walk by the store.

Cultural Destinations: An Economic Development Strategy Based on Joy

Cultural Destinations are places where the cultural assets, creativity, and traditions of people and communities become foundations for entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and stronger community relationships. They offer visitors distinctive and joyful cultural experiences while generating economic opportunities for local businesses, artists, and cultural organizations. It is a strategy based on joy because both the customer and the business owner interact in a space of joy (while building wealth for the owner and the community).

For over three decades, Cultural Destinations has been shaped by my work at the intersection of economics, policy, and community practice. This journey spans leadership roles at Concordia University–Saint Paul, including Professor of Economics (Emeritus), Dean of Business, and Associate Vice President for Government & Community Relations, along with global accreditation work across the U.S., India, and Mongolia.

At its core is an asset-based framework recognizing ALANA communities—African, Latino, Asian, and Native American—as powerful contributors to the economy: as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers, and carriers of cultural and civic capital. This work has informed public policy, legislative discussions, and economic narratives, supported by research, publications, and public engagement.

From Ideas to Action
Theory has been translated into practice through leadership in city development, including serving the City of Saint Paul, where as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the city, our team identified Cultural Destination Areas across the city and then integrated this vision into policies, programs and investment.

Cultural Destinations Today
Cultural Destinations is an evolving economic model where culture, commerce, and community intersect. From Little Africa to Little Mekong and the Minnesota State Fair, it demonstrates how joy and identity can drive economic opportunity and belonging.

Looking Forward
Data shapes narratives. Narratives shape policy. Policy shapes lives.
The next step is clear: build systems where culture fuels prosperity and belonging is intentional.

Let’s build together.