Posts Tagged ‘Center for Rural Entrepreneurship’

Rural America Needs Change Agents

January 17th, 2011

Entrepreneurship and self-employment are key to a rural revival.  That’s the message our friend Don Macke at the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship shared last week in an article he wrote for the New Geography blog. 

In addition to building a case for why entrepreneurship is important, Macke identifies three areas of rural community development that are impacted by the growth of entrepreneurship.  One in particular, the connection between entrepreneurs and risk takers, caught my attention.  In a section titled “Social and Economic Renewal, Don notes:

 Based on our field research throughout North America we would argue that the dominate group leaving rural areas are not necessarily the best and brightest, but those with a greater capacity for taking risk. This distinction is strategically important in that losing risk takers erodes a community’s fundamental capacity for innovating and embracing necessary change. Attracting entrepreneurs introduces “change agents” back into declining rural communities. This introduction enhances social and economic renewal. Based on our field research throughout North America we would argue that the dominate group leaving rural areas are not necessarily the best and brightest, but those with a greater capacity for taking risk. This distinction is strategically important in that losing risk takers erodes a community’s fundamental capacity for innovating and embracing necessary change. Attracting entrepreneurs introduces “change agents” back into declining rural communities. This introduction enhances social and economic renewal.” (source:  “Self-Employment Key to Expanding Rural America’s Revival,” Don Macke, New Geography, Jan. 13, 2011)

Don offers a good reminder: rural communities need “change agents” who help initiate innovation.  And the people most likely to fill that role are the people who are leaving rural communities.  So, what needs to be done to attract (or retain) people who possess “a greater capacity for taking risks?”  I’ll offer the following quick list.

First, communities need to develop the environment and infrastructure to support entrepreneurs.  Currently, the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship helps “coach“ communities seeking to support entrepreneurs.  They also offer a wide array of resources for practitioners on their website to get them started. 

Second, communities need to build a stronger brand with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.  During my time working in rural communities, I’m astounded by the innovative nature of some rural communities.  Sadly, they don’t attempt to communicate that attribute to the world around them.  It’s little wonder they don’t attract more entrepreneurs. 

Third, communities need to be more entrepreneurial themselves.  Obviously this goes hand-in-hand with my first and second recommendations.  But at the same time, the community itself must display the values of an entrepreneur and be willing to take risks.  Doing so will make the community more inviting to entrepreneurs. 

The list could go on and on.  And it leads to the question, “What is your community doing to attract entrepreneurs?”

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Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (5)

Entrepreneurship: What’s your advice

September 29th, 2010

A legislative candidate recently asked me how I thought South Dakota could better support entrepreneurs.  I directed him to two of my favorite organizations in the field:  the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and Littleton, CO’s economic gardening program.  I think both have models that can help rural communities build stronger entrepreneurs.

At the same time, I wish I had passed along a bit of personal advice;  we need to do a better job of celebrating entrepreneurs.  Doing so could fulfill several purposes:

What advice would you have passed along?

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Posted in Economic Development, Rural | Comments (3)

Still wondering “what if…?”

February 25th, 2010

How do entrepreneurs find the inspiration to start their ventures?  And where do entrepreneurs turn to find the resources necessary to grow their businesses.  Those are poignant questions for rural community leaders. Obviously there are no simple answers, but I’m hoping to better understand the opportunities surrounding them at the Launch10 Conference at Dakota Wesleyan University today.  It’s a conference that brings entrepreneurs, college students, educators, and community members together to talk about their futures. 

While talking to Jim Beddow about the Launch10 Conference a couple weeks ago, I learned that fellow Wesleyan alumnus, Eric Pulse is part of new business venture in Kimball, SD (pop. 745). Thinking that he might have an interesting perspective on these questions, I gave Eric a call, and we chatted about his venture, The Original Kimball Popcorn Ball. It turns out he had a lot to share.

I’d really hoped to share the story about the startup of this rural business in greater detail today, but time just hasn’t cooperated.  I do, however, want to share one piece of advice Eric had to offer. 

Before ending our call, I asked Eric what advice he had for entrepreneurs.  He responded, “Don’t be the person who sits back and wonders in ten years, what if…?”

Sage advice.  I think it speaks to rural communities as well, which brings us back to why I’m attending the Launch10 conference.

There are lots of models for supporting entrepreneurs.  Littleton, CO’s Economic Gardening process and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship’s E2 model come to mind.  But communities leaders, like business leaders, can’t sit back and wait for entrepreneurs to appear and then expect them to be successful on their own.  Instead we’ve got to be intention and be prepared to support them.  Or else in ten years, we’re going to be the one’s wondering “what if…?”

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Posted in Economic Development, Rural, Training and Events | Comments (0)