1. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Collaboration in Rural America Brian Dabson, Rural Policy Research Institute Statewide Rural Economic Vitality Conversation Sacramento, California April 28, 2005

2. Rural Policy Research Institute2 Three EDS Lessons Commitment, creativity, and resourcefulness across rural America Key principles – systems, customer focus, regionalism, inclusiveness, effectiveness – accepted and embraced Collaboration shows the way for rural America

3. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute3 Economic Development Attraction Persuading companies to come to your community Retention Looking after what you already have Entrepreneurship Growing your own jobs and wealth

4. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute4 Economic Development Pyramid Recruitment Retention Entrepreneurship

5. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute5 Strategic Thinking Attraction  Competition  Narrow-mindedness Retention   Resistance to change Entrepreneurship   Unprincipled individualism  Collaboration  Stewardship  Creativity & Innovation

6. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute6 Simple Definitions Entrepreneurs…people who create and grow enterprises Entrepreneurship…the process through which entrepreneurs create and grow enterprises. Entrepreneurship development…the infrastructure of public and private policies and practices that foster and support entrepreneurship.

7. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute7 What is an entrepreneur? A person who organizes and manages a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of the profit

8. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute8 What is an entrepreneur? Visionary entrepreneurs develop innovations, create jobs, and contribute to a more vibrant national and global economy

9. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute9 Differing Motivations Survival entrepreneurs – resort to creating enterprises because there are few other options Lifestyle entrepreneurs – choose self-employment to pursue personal goals Growth entrepreneurs – motivated to grow their businesses to create wealth and jobs in their community Serial entrepreneurs – over their lifetimes will create several businesses

10. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute10 What is entrepreneurship?

11. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute11

12. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute12 Caveats to GEM Analysis US 7 th out of 31 countries in level of entrepreneurial activity but: Other countries in top 10 include Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, China Uneven distribution of activity across and within states holding back long-term competitiveness

13. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute13 Four Principles Focus on the entrepreneur Focus on the community Focus on the region Focus on continuous learning

14. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute14 CAN Success Factors Central Appalachian Network Asset-based Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Communities Investment in Innovation Regional Markets Regional Catalysts

15. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute15 Rural Economic Vitality = Innovation + Entrepreneurship+ Collaboration

16. April 28, 2005Rural Policy Research Institute16 For more information visit: Rural Policy Research Center (RUPRI) www.rupri.org RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship www.ruraleship.org