1. Maureen Collins-Williams UNI Regional Business Center/SBDC

2. The Challenge In Rural Regions

3. Entrepreneurship is critical to rural revitalization: 1. Diversified Local Economies 2. Localized Decision Making 3. ”Stickiness” 4. Cost Effective Development

4. A Pilot Investment Into Rural Economic Vitality 2001 Beta Test in four NE Iowa Regions New Hampton 3,692 Independence 5,879 Parkersburg 1,804 West Union 2,585

5. A Comprehensive Approach Community Leaders… …and Entrepreneurs

6. Advanced Interactive Web Technologies

7. Creates Partnerships Between Service Providers Iowa Small Business Development Center System Iowa Community Colleges Iowa State Extension Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurship Centers Community Vitality Center Institute For Social and Economic Development

8. Community Empowerment Business Assistance Capitalization Networking

9. Community Empowerment A diverse, local Task Force is created made up of: Entrepreneurs Youth Educators Minorities Immigrants Community leaders Volunteers

10. Community Empowerment Thinking Differently About Entrepreneurship Immigrant owned business Home based operations Spin-offs from existing firms Alternative ag ventures Technology companies

11. Community Empowerment Thinking Differently About Innovators We must create a supportive environment Encourage Innovation Reward Success/ Respect Failure

12. Business Assistance- On Site Learning Clayton County, Iowa Fast Trac® Class, Fall 2005 Allamakee County, Iowa Marketing Workshop Spring 2006

13. Business Assistance- SBDC Consulting New Hampton Metal Fab $1.75 million loan package

14. Business Assistance- On Line Learning In the k drive is a web pic of Mike on a microphone doing Counseling online. Let’s put it here.

15. Business Assistance- On Line Navigators

16. Question to Legal Team : Could anyone tell me what the proper way to submit website copyrights is? I have contacted the U.S. Copyright office and have sent in an application but am wondering… Do you recommend any good copyright/trademark professionals? Business Assistance- On Line Navigators Answer: I would suggest you contact an intellectual property attorney to discuss your copyright concerns. There are law firms that specialize in intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc.) I usually work with … Others in Iowa specializing in this area include…

17. Capitalization Soy Basics New Hampton $1.2 million Sara Sheets, Independence $25,000 Chip/Darlene Schwickerath New Hampton $250,000

18. Networking

21. Economic Impact in NE Iowa 2001-2003 -129 participants -Started or Expanded 31 companies - Created 121 new full time jobs - Leveraged $4.6 Million in New Commercial/Equity Investments

22. Grow Iowa Values Fund 2005-2006 8 Counties Being Served AllamakeeCarroll HowardPoweshiek WinneshiekFayette ClaytonDelaware

23. Economic Impact To Date For Every 100 Entrepreneurs…. 20 Start or Expand a Rural Business Creating…. 75 New Full Time Jobs Leveraging…. $3.5 Million in New Commercial Investment