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NEXT STEPS: For Rural Entrepreneurship Development in Iowa Community Vitality Center. A Catalyst for Creating Real Impact in Real Communities. Community Vitality Center.
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NEXT STEPS: For Rural Entrepreneurship Development in IowaCommunity Vitality Center A Catalyst for Creating Real Impact in Real Communities
Community Vitality Center • The mission of the Community Vitality Center (CVC) is to serve as a catalyst for innovative projects and initiatives designed to improve the vitality of non metro communities. • Community Entrepreneurship • Community Philanthropy • Community Vitality Policy Studies
Entrepreneurship in the U.S. • Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) estimates 10.5% of adult U.S. population is engaged in entrepreneurial activities • 36 % of U.S. Entrepreneurs are age 45-64 • 1 female Entrepreneur for every 1.5 male entrepreneurs, with parity in 45-65 age bracket
Entrepreneurial Participation • GEM- Highest U.S. Entrepreneurial participation are those with high school diploma • Entrepreneurs without a high school diploma tend to focus more on self-employment • Those with college degrees tend to have alternative employment opportunities
Micro Entrepreneurs – 5 or less employees • ISED - Aspen Institute – Low-Income Entrepreneurs reduced reliance on govt. assistance by 61 percent or $1,679 per year. • 72% of low income micro entrepreneurs experienced gains in household income over 5 years. Average gain was $8,485. • 53 % moved out of poverty • CFED- 49% of low-income micro entrepreneurs survived 5 years – comparable to national avg.
Entrepreneurship in IowaCVC - 10 Community Forums • CVC- 50% of Participants were Entrepreneurs • 32% involved in a startup business • 19% thinking about starting a business. • Generated 20 Ideas for Community Entrepreneurship Checklist (see www.cvcia.org)
CVC - 10 Community Forums • 88% favored local partnerships and community initiatives to create entrepreneur development, business startups, & seed capital programs. • 67% favored linking local entrepreneurs to regional expertise, networks, regional development groups, and industry clusters for specific ventures. • 11% favored self-help entrepreneurship solely as a private sector initiative without public sector involvement.
CVC – Communities of Distinction • 8 nonmetro communities, 75 leaders: local gov’t, econ. develop., healthcare, & education • All identified at least one homegrown business started in an earlier decade but is now a major employer in the community. • None could identify local entrepreneurship programs in place beyond revolving loan funds. • All were very interested in what could be done locally on a cost-effective basis, underscoring Iowa’s potential.
Getting Started: #1. Organize a Community Entrepreneur Development Team • Organize a broad-based CED Team • Entrepreneur support is different from other ED Strategies • More networks = more potential business prospects • Inclusiveness contributes to success as long as Executive Committee can manage process
Attorney Accountant Banker Business Start-up Services Insurance Successful entrepreneurs Existing companies interested in growth Development Corps/Chambers Utilities Angel Investors Local Colleges Local Extension Regional SBDC K-12 School Tech & Entrepreneur Teachers Healthcare Entrepreneurs Local Government Potential Mentors Local “spark plugs” Community Benefactors Ag Entrepreneurs Faith-based groups Who Should Be on The Team?
#2. Conduct Local Inventory of Entrepreneur Development Assets • Map local assets using CVC Checklist • Provide a one point of contact for entrepreneurs to access local information and networks • Create a resource notebook for contacts and referrals • Raise awareness of what is available and how to access local networks
Other Suggested Tools • Develop a list of “gaps & niches” that would add to the local entrepreneurial support system. • Consider CVC’s Business Plan Competition Network or other Awards & E-ship Recognitions • Create entrepreneurial peer groups and mentoring networks so each entrepreneur doesn’t have to “re-invent the wheel” • Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association • Ag Ventures Alliance • Conduct workshops to assess strategies for filling the gaps and niches locally and/or by building linkages to external resources • Entrepreneurs say they learn 85% of what they know from other Entrepreneurs
Community Vitality Center • Dr. Mark A. Edelman, Director • Phone: 515-294-3000 • E-mail: cvc@iastate.edu • Website: www.cvcia.org