ArtMetal

Laurie,
Drop by!

It's a shame you missed the Shindig and only 10 miles from Anoka.
Resources were flowing.
We did a Mokume billet, forged bronze, poured bronze, torch enameled, raised copper, soldered, tig welded, had a lighting seminar on how to light your art for good photos . . .

Resource clearing houses are hard to just declare. They take time to develop, or the clout of some heavyweight (who already has the the time in, and even then not a sure thing.)
People will come to a beacon if it is bright enough to be seen. They will check out the fountain and admire it, or "reserve verbal response" (ie: they seldom tell you if your idea doesn't sound good), but even if it has the best water, you can "lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" let alone sell him some.
You have a lot of competition in this giving time and information away for free or nearly free business.
You listed a couple of those resources.
If this is a business plan, think on it a while before you spend money.

Heather Doyle, (IndustryElle, here) is working with Mpls to organize a Fire Arts Building in Mpls.

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN