Building Entrepreneurial Communities

Alton Illinois is moving along with its plans to build a creative economy. Check out their video published on YouTube August 16th and learn more about the process. Sara McGibany, Executive Director of Alton's MainStreet gives you an overview of their progress. Alton Main Street-Creative...

Photo is courtesy of Bella Luna Bakery in Rockford, IL The following information for women business owners was taken from the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Community & Leadership Development newsletter at https://www.ag.ndsu....

In May, I traveled up to Rockford, Illinois to visit family. While I was there I was invited by past clients and students from my Creating the Creative Business class to stop downtown and check out some of their new and/or expanding creative businesses. I honestly was not prepared for the...

On February 25, 2016, I presented Developing a Creative Economy at Northern Illinois University's day-long workshop - Creative Enterprises & Downtown Prosperity. Following is an article written by the Editor of the Downtown Auroran Magazine on Feb. 26, 2016 about the presentation and...

I received this comment from Ken Cadow a high school teacher and administrator in Vermont. The comment was in response to my most recent post on the closing of SBDC centers across Illinois. Ken poses some interesting thoughts for us. If you would like to respond to Ken's comment or wish additional...

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are shutting down in Illinois at an alarming rate. Three centers have closed in the South Central Illinois region leaving 22 counties without any affordable business plan development, counseling assistance, or business research services for small businesses...

A recent report released by Lieutenant Governor Sanquinetti, leader of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council stresses the importance of including entrepreneurs in innovative economic development planning for rural communities. The report Rural Illinois: New Challenges, New Opportunities...

Not every entrepreneurial idea is transferable to every community, but it is always nice to at least consider the possibilities. For that reason I'm suggesting you think about multiple businesses occupying the same space…I've decided to call it a Co-BIZ! The example I saw, that seemed to be working...

Most of us know (but if you didn't) that a strong buy local campaign is crucial to developing an Entrepreneurial Culture in a community. Just in time for the holidays, Jennifer Russell, Community & Economic Development Educator in Calhoun, Greene, Morgan, Scott and Cass counties has an...

Taking stock of the community's resources to support entrepreneurship growth and development is a critical element to creating a proactive environment for business development. Local Economic Development Organizations can take proactive approach to assisting existing and prospective business owners...