Creating Jobs: Encouraging Entrepreneurship
Information ◦ Business Intelligence ◦ Business Plan Technical/Moral Support ◦ SCORE, SBDCs, Peer Counselors Financing ◦ Conventional Loans, Angel Networks, Venture Capital Marketing ◦ Key role for Chambers in assisting start ups
Economic Gardening ◦ Nurturing start up and growing businesses by providing needed data ◦ Littleton, Colorado was the genesis of the concept and still the “Master Gardner” ◦ Businesses can identify markets, determine locations and even access mailing labels for likely customers ◦ Business Tools is an easy way for Chambers to “plant” copyright©2007 Greater Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Provide onsite pooling of resources (phones, copiers, loading docks) Onsite counselors available to assist with problem solving Typically offering rental at below market rate with a “graduation” requirement Federal Way Chamber just launched one with grant funding…ask Tom for details
Business peers act as a Board of Directors to each other “Discovery 9” is a new twist utilizing unemployed small group to work together to identify opportunities Chamber member professional service types offering one hour “free” sessions with start up firms
copyright©2007 Greater Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Business Boot Camps Leads Groups Open Coffee Club Business Fitness Club (classes and workshops) …and more
You may already be helping create new jobs by encouraging entrepreneurs…so SAY SO! Lots of resources online: WACE, IEDC, National Incubator Assn. Innovation and Invention have been and will continue to be the keys to future economic success…