I’d like to add a new dimension to what we do here. We’ll still focus on equipping rural entrepreneurs to prosper so their communities can prosper. But together we can support some organizations that make a difference to entrepreneurs in small towns and rural areas.
Some examples of rural entrepreneurship organizations that leap to mind:
- Center for Rural Entrepreneurship/Energizing Entrepreneurs
- Center for Rural Affairs
- Heifer International
- Rural Journalism
What organizations would you add to this list? I know I’ve missed some great ones. Add them in the comments. (Yes, you can mention your own organization, if appropriate.)
I’ll set up a poll to let everyone add their thoughts. I’ll make the final choice, and find some ways this community, all of us, can make a difference together. Sound good?
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
Going to toot our own horn here – Valley County Economic Development has been the catalyst entity for rural revitalization in North Central Nebraska over the past 10 years. We’ve consistently beat the state and metro job creation average by over 10% during that time and building a new future for our area.
In 2000 we started with a terrible self-defeatist attitude, depopulation and a collapsing economy. Fast forward to now…
For a community of 2,200 (Ord) and a county of 4,500, we’ve seen 106 new businesses in 10 years. Over that course of time, we’ve also been part of $125 million in private-public investment into our area with boatloads of positive energy growing from it.
Let this post be our guide, it tells our story quite succinctly: http://www.ordnebraska.com/new-blood-in-valley-county/
We are proud of what we do; entrepreneurs are central to that. So is economic gardening. Have a peek around our website and let us know what you think! Looking forward to hearing from everyone else!
Caleb, thanks for jumping in. Not only do you have a great record of performance, you have a well earned reputation as well. I hear of you everywhere, it seems! Our charity project will most likely support a national or international group, but I definitely appreciate you sharing your story.
Hi Becky,
I am not sure if you know about the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). You can find out more on our website – http://www.iirr.org or you can give me a call with any questions (212) 880-9147 -Lara
The National Trust Main Street Center got its start 30 years ago in helping small communities when people started asking the National Trust for Historic Preservation how to save their dying downtowns. Beautiful Carnegie libraries were crumbling, mom and pops were closing up, and town squares were empty. We’ve been since dedicated to building capacity and teaching local nonprofit groups how to approach economic development holistically – and a big part of that is building entrepreneurs from the ground up and strengthening existing small business owners. What’s more – our methodology for commercial district revitalization doesn’t just stop with business development. We strengthen multiple aspects of the community because businesses can’t succeed by existing in a vacuum; they are instead bolstered by attractive streets, rehabbed buildings, full calendar of events, civic engagement, and much more. Cumulatively, we have seen great results in communities of all sizes throughout the U.S.: $48.9 billion in total reinvestment (public & private); 94,000+ net new businesses; 417,000+ net new businesses; and an average reinvestment ratio of $27 to $1.
Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about what we do! You can learn more at http://www.mainstreet.org.
Lara, thanks for the introduction to IIRR. I was not familiar with you until now.
Andrea, thank you for bringing in Main Street! I shouldn’t have overlooked you in my list.