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Boost your maker economy with a “Made in” day

By Becky McCray

Newspaper story headline says, "Made in Dorrigo Markets a bustling success"

Dorrigo in New South Wales, Australia, population 1100, created an entire event to support local makers. David from the Red Dirt Distillery told us about Made in Dorrigo Day, where everything offered for sale had to be made, grown or produced in their local 2453 postcode area. Back in 2014 when they started, David said, […]

September 17, 2021 Filed Under: Best of, community, economic development, entrepreneurship, global, rural, shop local Tagged With: arts, Australia, craft, Dorrigo, makers, manufacturing, New South Wales, Red Dirt Distillery

Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate?

By Becky McCray

A large industrial-looking empty building

Should we offer incentives to fill it with small retailers? How do we convince the mayor and economic development group?   The empty factory building A reader wrote in to ask about converting and dividing up a huge old building. Because my answer isn’t quite what the reader asked for, I’ve taken the details out. […]

June 9, 2020 Filed Under: economic development, mistakes, rural Tagged With: economic development, empty buildings, factories, funding, gather your crowd, grants, idea friendly, manufacturing, revitalization, take small steps

Using events to promote service and industry businesses

By Deb Brown

Events that showcase your non-retail small business  You want people to learn about your business. Events sometimes help with that. You’re just not sure how to create an event for non-retail businesses that people will come to. Who goes to the insurance agency if they don’t need insurance? Who goes to the packing plant unless […]

September 11, 2019 Filed Under: entrepreneurship, marketing, rural Tagged With: chamber of commerce, events, experience, experience economy, industry, manufacturing, marketing, non-retail, promotions, service businesses, tours

Small Business Success and Quality

By Glenn Muske

Quality sign

Some of you may remember the Ford slogan of the 1980’s, Quality is Job #1. That slogan was true then for businesses. And it remains true today. Yet, quality sometimes remains hard to find. For example in the last year, two households in my family had to purchase dishwashers. Two different brands were purchased but, […]

August 6, 2015 Filed Under: rural, Small Biz 100, success Tagged With: manufacturing, quality, small business, success

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