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Rising economic inequality is getting increased attention in current political discussions, in the press (including articles in Fortune and the Washington Post), and by academic and other researchers (including a Pew Research Center study). Through our TOW research, we know that business ownership is an important driver of wealth. And, when communities create supportive environments that nurture entrepreneurial talent of all types, these entrepreneurs have opportunities for economic mobility that might not otherwise exist. A longtime friend of the Center and past Board chair, Dr. Tom Lyons, has written an exceptional essay for the journal, Community Development, entitled " Entrepreneurship and Community Development: What Matters and Why?" His clearly articulated answer to this question? "Entrepreneurship as a mechanism for fostering community development matters because it can help us address economic inequality in our communities and in our nation." We encourage you to read this essay and think about how the themes resonate with your own work. And, we'd love to hear your thoughts - email Deb Markley at deb@e2mail.org.
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Entrepreneurial Communities
Charting Your Course to Greater Prosperity
What's an entrepreneurial support system look like? Who's doing what to support entrepreneurs? And, where are the gaps? These are some of the questions we've been addressing in Dan River Region (VA), with support from the Danville Regional Foundation. The work is ongoing but here are a few insights that might apply to other places. Sometimes it's not the resources that are lacking but coordination of those resources to better support entrepreneurs. Resource providers need to practice a no-wrong-door approach to help entrepreneurs find the resources they need - when they need them. It takes all kinds of entrepreneurs to make a community prosper and you need the resources to support that full range of entrepreneurs. To learn more about this ecosystem assessment work, contact Deb Markley at deb@e2mail.org.
Tools You Can Use... Opportunity Assessment. We have a number of tools related to Assessment that you might find useful in your community. Check out our Assessment department in e2University..
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Community Development Philanthropy
Building Philanthropic Capacity and Resources
Philanthropy Southwest Conference. Don Macke presented recently at the annual conference of Philanthropy Southwest hosted in hi  storic Santa Fe, New Mexico. Don presented on how foundations can work more effectively and efficiently with rural communities. For more information on how to work with rural communities, contact Don at don@e2mail.org.
Tools You Can Use... Check out Don's presentation in Santa Fe and several related resources on our site here.
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New Generation Partnerships
Engaging with America's New Generation
Frank & Kimberlee Spillers, Global Horizons, have coined the term Relationship Economic Development ( RED) in their work to repopulate rural America and to grow an engaged workforce. RED is a grassroots process to build wealth and welcome citizens to build the future they want for their community with proven results: 250 jobs in three years in a multi-county area; one school's "at risk" population dropped from 41% to 12%; increased community collaboration, cooperation and local buying. Learn more about RED here. The Spillers' work aligns well with the Center's New Generation Partnership solution area.
Tools You Can Use... Check out the Spillers' book, The Be WUCA! Way, The ART of getting along. Hint - WUCA stands for Welcome, Understand, Comfort and Appreciate!
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Field News
New Economy Week - November 9-15, 2015. Check out this site for news and updates.
23 entrepreneurs share their lessons learned. Check out this blog and share it with entrepreneurs in your community.
Doing Incentives Right. Erik Pages, EntreWorks Consulting and Senior Fellow with the Center, addresses business incentives in his October newsletter.
What do you have planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week - November 16-23, 2015? Check out the GEW site to learn how others are celebrating entrepreneurs.
Becoming "the place" for local food firms. Read how one Iowa town is building an economy around the local food and farm sector as a way to attract young people and entrepreneurs.
KCSourceLink Shares their Story. Another great example of an annual report that effectively communicates the outcomes of entrepreneurial efforts. Check out their focus on measuring results!
New from BALLE. A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem includes supportive policy as well as direct assistance to entrepreneurs. Check out BALLE's Local Policy Toolkit for policy ideas to better support small businesses and an economy that works for all.
Global Wealth Report 2015. This annual report from Credit Suisse Research addresses wealth holding internationally.
Ten Principles for Responsible Tourism. This article from UrbanLand magazine is a must read for any community interested in improving their tourism development game plan.
Incentives Report. Check out this important read from Kauffman on business attraction incentives - costs and benefits called "Shortchanging Small Business."
Enabling Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. This report from the Kauffman Foundation is a valuable read for anyone interested in growing an entrepreneurial economy.
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On the Road
Deb Markley will be in...
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Morganton, NC November 2-3 for a Think Tank with the Carolina Textile District
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Kalamazoo, MI November 9-10 for a presentation on Generational Diversity at the Council on Michigan Foundations Conference
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New Orleans, LA November 12-13 for a community design meeting in the Lower Ninth Ward
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Asheville, NC November 18-19 for planning meetings with staff at Rural Support Partners
Don Macke will be in...
- Lincoln, NE November 4 conducting a webinar for Texas Economic Development Council focused on accelerating entrepreneurial activity in communities through an established framework
- Madison, WI November 10 attending the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Executive Institute
- Memphis, TN November 13-16 for a workshop on community engagement & entrepreneur-focused economic development hosted by Communities Unlimited
- Raleigh, NC December 6-8 on an Entrepreneurial Retreat
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The Danville Regional Foundation uses its philanthropic resources as a "catalyst for innovation and an agent for transformation". The Foundation's goal is "for more residents to be involved in making this a community of 'bright spots and success stories'."
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Founded in 1949, Philanthropy Southwest advances philanthropy in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Philanthropy SW is an association of foundations working in this vast region of the United States. Members include community foundations, private foundations, family foundations and other charitable organizations.
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The Spillers are a home-based team in Atlantic, Iowa whose work focuses on rebuilding the population in Rural America. Their approach engages the community broadly, including working with childcare providers who they believe are critical to influencing and nurturing our future workforce. Learn more here!
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Meet Our Board
David Leckey is Executive Director of the Orton Family Foundation, based in Vermont, with a mission to empower people to shape the future of their own communties. One of their most prominent tools is the Heart and Soul™ Field Guide, programs and tools to help diverse members of the community engage in decision making about the future.
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