Rural Matters
News & Economic Developments from the Ground Up
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May is a busy month for networks, not for profits and alliances that
are dedicated to the pursuit of entrepreneurship as the economic
development strategy in rural communities throughout the United States.
Small and microbusinesses have, after all, created 2/3 of new jobs
during the past 20 years and they are historically the first responder
during economic downturns.
The
National Summit on Entrepreneurship hosted by the Association for
Enterprise Opportunity (www.microenterprisematters.org) gathered in
Washington, DC and announced two new partnerships: one with BALLE, the
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (www.livingeconomies.org) and one with Green for All (www.greenforall.org), the national organization committed to the growth of living wage blue collar jobs in all 'Green' sectors.
A
compelling interactive session at the National Summit on
Entrepreneurship celebrated the unique flavors of particular rural
regions and the emergence of deliberate entrepreneurial efforts that
build upon those flavors. Regional Flavor Strategies bring together
stakeholders - microenterprise development programs (we have one - it's
called West Company), chambers of commerce, cultural and historic
preservations programs, not for profits, educational institutions, Main
Street programs, and many others to promote the assets and flavor of
their region. Entrepreneurs are supported to identify and respond to
their region's flavor and encouraged to think and act innovatively as
they utilize the flavor of their region to grow and expand their
enterprises. Entrepreneurs from outside the area are attracted to these
new vital centers for a place to locate their businesses.
Mendocino
County and the North Coast region have identified Six Targets of
Opportunity where there is demonstrated job growth, wage increases,
competitiveness and career potential. Three of the six are particularly
flavorful in Mendocino County and may provide opportunity to develop a
Regional Flavor for the region. They are diversified health care, niche
manufacturing and specialty foods and beverages. Those three respond to
21st challenges of health care reform, energy security and food
security.
To
name a flavor might be hard in Mendocino County. We would certainly
have to think about the arts - fine, crafts and entertaining. Maybe the
flavor embraces several of the sectors. Wouldn't it be grand to get
started and find out!
by Sheilah Rogers
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