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Idea for: Economic opportunity
Encourage home-grown entrepreneurs Help for rural towns won't come from the outside--it has to be home-grown. And, that means helping residents to become entrepreneurs, i.e. to start local businesses that will stay in the community. This is done via entrepreneurship education and by providing specialized technical assistance to both existing businesses and those with a dream of starting their own venture. Lots of small towns in rural America (and in Minnesota) are pursuing this approach, and there are lots of great resources in place. One place to start is the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship (www.ruraleship.org) From Erik Pages of Arlington, VA on 05/12/05
Rating:  Most entrepreneurs aren't going to see the inside of an "entrepreneural education classroom" as they are too busy developing and running their business. Our current models of trying to "educate" entrepreneurs don't work too well. That's why they left the "up the corporate ladder--MBA scene" and struck out on their own. There needs to be small business "drop-in centers" where they can get an answer to an immediate problem and also networking avenues for them to share information and gain support. From Roger McCannon of Morris, MN on 05/24/05 Rating:  Turn that vacant hog barn into a Pontoon factory! And bring the lake home money to the country. Forget the arts and "cultural" mumbo. That doesn't pay for itself. Small towns have a lot of skilled members in their communities. The local farmer has many more capabilities than driving a tractor or tending to cattle. They are also electricians, welders, fabricators, and carpenters. These skills can be applied to mfg and with possible lower overhead than an urban location. From Wayde Kirvida of Osceola, WI on 05/18/05 Rating: This approach is one of the strongest in regards to having control of your own community's future. It often takes more than just the entrepreneur support programming as a community's culture may not be entrepreneur friendly in nature. There also needs to be structures and resources developed to sustain the momentum. With the Community Progress Initiative in Central Wisconsin, we have implemented a holistic approach to creating the culture and capacity -see www.progressinitiative.com From Connie Loden of Wisconsin Rapids, WI on 05/14/05 Rating: This is happening all over the country and received another boost when the W. K. Kellogg Foundation announced $12 million in grants this spring to a few model projects across the country creating Entrepreneurial Development Systems. Over 180 proposals were received (inclduing several from Minnesota)and they are also being tracked and coordinated through a national coalition effort that has resulted from the heavy demand (and great ideas) coming from Kellogg's inspiring request for proposals. From Jane Leonard of St. Paul, MN on 05/13/05 Rating: I can't agree with your more. Local economic development efforts are not geared towards this and the risk is high. However, how do we ever know what will bloom when we aren't even watering the seeds? Secondly, how do you become an entrepreneur without becoming a small business? I clarify, because many do not want to become a "businessperson" (reading financial statements, etc.) but just would like to work for themselves and have the supportive "business" services available at a fair rate? From Ben Winchester of Hancock, MN on 05/12/05
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