7th Annual National Value-Added Ag Conference Indianapolis, Indiana June 16-17, 2005 Creating an Entrepreneurial Culture/Community Dr. Deborah M. Markley Co-Director RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship

Unique Challenges to Rural Entrepreneurship Culture often does not support entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs are isolated from peers and mentors – networking difficult Entrepreneurs fly below the radar screen of local economic development officials Rural communities “waiting to be saved” – dependency alive and well Need to take a portfolio approach to investing in entrepreneurship - challenging

Why create an entrepreneurial culture/community? Entrepreneurs thrive in a supportive environment In a supportive culture, leaders accept losses that WILL occur but continue support for entrepreneurship anyway Outcomes from entrepreneurship occur over the long term – need a culture of entrepreneurship to stay in the game for the long haul

How to create an entrepreneurial culture/community Leadership Youth engagement Celebrate Success Learning from others

Leadership Broad based: immigrants, women, new arrivals, young people Involve entrepreneurs: “by and for entrepreneurs”, engage them where they are Engage community in strategy development: seek input; share results Policy change: entrepreneur-friendly policies send a message (e.g., zoning for home- based businesses)

Example: Georgia’s Entrepreneur Friendly Communities Statewide, community-based Entrepreneur Network (ENet): GA Tech in partnership with state ED Community process to establish entrepreneur support program: review visit to determine E Readiness; strongly focused on assets Learning network of E Friendly communities

Example: Home Town Competitiveness Leaders are made, not born Ord Nebraska: Leadership Quest program – Formal, skill building program: people annually (including youth) – Meet monthly for 9 months – More people running for office, working on community projects, serving on boards – Recognized by Nebraska as top rural development strategy in 2003

Youth Engagement View youth as change agents Leadership (as in HTC) Entrepreneurship education in schools, after school programs Need to move from “teacher driven” to institutionalized approach – Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education national standards

Examples: Curriculum and WV Dreamquest Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL): curriculum for K-16; experiential learning ( Mini-Society: 8-12 year olds; experiential ( WV Dreamquest: high school business plan competition ( – 1 st year, over 150 students participated

Celebrate Success Celebrate to reinforce cultural change (news stories about entrepreneurship) Celebrate to maintain and build momentum (highlight successful entrepreneurs, E of the year) Celebrate to influence policy makers (joint ribbon cuttings) Encourage innovation (business plan competitions, youth entrepreneurship awards)

Example: Fairfield Iowa’s Entrepreneurs’ Association FEA created in 1989 – by and for entrepreneurs (mentoring, networking, seminars, “boot camp for entrepreneurs”) Celebrate E of the year, E Hall of Fame, new start ups Over 20 years: created 2,000 jobs; tripled per capita income; rank in top 5 in per capita charitable giving; “Silicorn Valley;” headquarters location for 50 companies

Where do you begin? Important to get started – don’t need elaborate strategy to write a story or feature entrepreneurs at a chamber dinner There are tools and resources available – coming soon! E 2 Energizing Entrepreneurs: Charting a Course for Rural Communities Visit our website –

Right now… Start by networking – Find one person in this room who you DO NOT KNOW – Introduce yourself and ask what is happening in his/her hometown to encourage entrepreneurship or to build an entrepreneurial community – Share what you are doing in your community – Exchange business cards, follow up!

For More Information Deb Markley – Don Macke – Brian Dabson –